Transforming Our Tiny Cabin! See Our Stunning Cedar Ceiling | S3 Ep9
Our tiny off grid cabin is finally getting the stunning cedar ceiling it deserves! After months of looking at plastic sheeting, we’re installing beautiful cedar paneling on the ceiling, giving the space a warm and rustic finish. This DIY cabin renovation comes with its fair share of challenges, from maneuvering massive boards to fixing unexpected wood splits—but the results are worth it!
Table of Contents
- Maintenance Time for Pepper
- Custom Scaffolding!
- Starting the Cedar Ceiling
- Oh No… Broken Boards!
- A Tip for Straightening Out Boards
A Little Pepper Maintenance
It was time to do a little maintenance on Pepper. The pins that hold the bucket at the end of the lift arms were no longer being actuated hydraulically. We investigated the cause of the failure and determined that the solenoid that sends fluid to the circuit that closes the coupler was getting voltage. That left only the solenoid itself as a cause for the failure, so we ordered a new one.
Custom Scaffolding!
To begin our tiny cabin transformation, we needed a solid platform to work from. Ryan ingeniously utilized our trusty Kubota track-loader, Pepper, as makeshift scaffolding. This method not only saved time but also provided a stable and efficient way to reach the soffit area front of the cabin. The versatility of using Pepper as a scaffold demonstrates how resourcefulness comes in handy working in an off grid setting.
Starting Our Stunning Cedar Ceiling Install
With the scaffolding in place, we eagerly began installing the western red cedar paneling. The long boards, measuring around 16 feet, were cut to make for a perfect fit for our ceiling. As we started laying them down, the warm tones of the stunning cedar ceiling began to transform the space. It was exciting to finally see our vision come to life after waiting for the wood to arrive.
Oh No… Broken Boards!
As we progressed, we encountered a setback when we discovered a few broken boards. Being on an off grid island in the remote north of Canada, we could not simply run out and get replacement boards. Besides, the last thing we wanted was to waste any precious materials, so instead of panicking, we quickly devised a plan to repair the damaged pieces using some glue and tape.
A Tip for Straightening Out Boards
One of the most challenging aspects of installing this stunning cedar ceiling was working with long, warped boards. To tackle this, I shared a little trick we learned: using clamps to straighten out the boards before nailing them into place. This not only made the installation much easier but also ensured a more polished final look.
Thank you for checking in on our little off grid island adventure. We hope to see you here again soon!
If you’re interested in following our journey and seeing more of our projects, check out our Instagram, Favorite Things, and our Amazon Store for the tools and materials we love!