Vermont Cottage A 4-Season Plans
Learn to build a cottage with a loft and porch with these DIY Vermont Cottage building instructions.
The Vermont Cottage Option A Living is a versatile design with a main living space and a full-length bearing wall porch. It is built with a 4×4 hemlock lumber frame and rough sawn pine siding and trim, using post and beam construction techniques. Our insulated living versions use exterior rigid foam insulation that keeps the rough-cut frame visible in the interior for a unique refined rustic feel. The flor and ceiling are insulated with fiberglass insulation or your choice of alternate insulation options. Plumbing and electric can be incorporated for a year-round tiny cabin. Partition walls can be built as needed to separate the space as needed for things such as a dry toilet. High ceilings give the cabin a airy feel that seems much more than the actual dimensions. The loft provides additional storage or sleeping arrangements, while the loft window allows a ventilating breeze to flow through. There are many siding choices that will further customize the cottage to fit your vision., such as clapboard, log cabin siding, cedar shingles, just to list a few.
Our plans provide easy to follow instructions on assembling your own diy cottage kit, with color coded cutlist that identifies each part and what the lumber species is and dimensions and angles to cut to. Â Based on our CAD models the plans highlight each part as it is installed in a 3d drawing view. Key dimensions are called out to assist in keeping the build on track. Different foundation options are shown and how to prepare the site for the building. A material shopping list is included to get everything you will need in rough lengths. This design can be built as shown or customized to fit your aesthetic or budget, with extra windows or doors. Another feature of our plans is that they include any help needed from our tech support team to walk you through any questions you may have regarding building the cabin or tiny house.
16×20 Living Vermont Cottage A
Base Area: 320 sq. ft.
Loft Area: 96 sq. ft.
Total Interior Area: 336 sq. ft.
Porch Area: 80 sq. ft.
Recommended Foundation: Compacted 12” Crushed Gravel
Overall Dimensions: 14’6” H x 22’6” W x 18’6” D
Estimated Weight: 15,900 lbs
FLOOR SYSTEM
3 (qty) 6x6x20’ Hemlock Skids
2”x6” rough sawn Kiln Dried Spruce Joists 16” On Center
¾” CDX Plywood Floor Decking
1” rough sawn Hemlock Porch Decking
Floor Vapor Barrier
5½” Fiberglass Insulation (R21)
Under Deck Sheathing: ⅜” Plywood
Floor Weight Rating: 25 lbs/ sq. ft.
LOFT
8×12
Ladder Access
2”x6” rough sawn Hemlock Joists 24” on center
Smooth Shiplap Pine Loft Decking
Weight Rating 10 lbs / sqft
WALLS
Exposed 4”x4” Hemlock Post and Beam Wall Framing
Wall Height: Front: 128” Rear: 96”
Wall Vapor Barrier
Foil Backed Rigid Foam Insulation (R13)
Shiplap Pine Interior Sheathing
Siding: 1” rough sawn Pine Board & Batten
1″ rough sawn Pine Corner, Door, Window, Fascia & Shadow Trim
ROOF
Gable Roof Style
Roof Pitch: 8/12
2”x6” Kiln Dried Spruce Rafters 24” On Center
2″x6″ Kiln Dried Spruce Exposed Collar Ties
1” rough sawn Solid Barn Board Roof Sheathing
Roof Vapor Barrier
5½” Fiberglass Insulation (R21)
Shiplap Pine Interior Ceiling Sheathing
Corrugated 29g Metal Roofing, Color: Evergreen
12” Overhangs on all sides
DOOR & WINDOWS:
Door: 1 (qty) 3-0 nine-lite Insulated Steel Door with Keyless Lever Locking Hardware
Windows: 4 (qty) 4’x2’ Insulated Slider Window: White Vinyl Interior/Exterior w/ Screen
1 (qty) 2’x2’ Insulated Awning Window: White Vinyl Interior/Exterior w/ Screen
Additional Features
Loft Ladder
Estimated Assembly Time
Estimated Assembly Time: Two People: 95 hrs
16×24 Living Vermont Cottage A
Base Area: 384 sq. ft.
Loft Area: 96 sq. ft.
Total Interior Area: 384 sq. ft.
Porch Area: 96 sq. ft.
Recommended Foundation: Compacted 12” Crushed Gravel
Overall Dimensions: 14’6” H x 26’6” W x 18’6” D
Estimated Weight: 17,500 lbs
FLOOR SYSTEM
3 (qty) 6x6x24’ Hemlock Skids
2”x6” Kiln Dried Spruce Joists 16” On Center
¾” CDX Plywood Floor Decking
1” rough sawn Hemlock Porch Decking
Floor Vapor Barrier
5½” Fiberglass Insulation (R21)
Under Deck Sheathing: ⅜” Plywood
Floor Weight Rating: 25 lbs/ sq. ft.
LOFT
8×12
Ladder Access
2”x6” rough sawn Hemlock Joists 24” on center
Smooth Shiplap Pine Loft Decking
Weight Rating 10 lbs / sqft
WALLS
Exposed 4”x4” Hemlock Post and Beam Wall Framing
Wall Height: Front: 128” Rear: 96”
Wall Vapor Barrier
Foil Backed Rigid Foam Insulation (R13)
Shiplap Pine Interior Sheathing
Siding: 1” rough sawn Pine Board & Batten
1″ rough sawn Pine Corner, Door, Window, Fascia & Shadow Trim
ROOF
Gable Roof Style
Roof Pitch: 8/12
2”x6” Kiln Dried Spruce Rafters 24” On Center
2×6 Kiln Dried Spruce Exposed Collar Ties
1” rough sawn Solid Barn Board Roof Sheathing
Roof Vapor Barrier
5½” Fiberglass Insulation (R21)
Shiplap Pine Interior Ceiling Sheathing
Corrugated 29g Metal Roofing, Color: Evergreen
12” Overhangs on all sides
DOOR & WINDOWS:
Door: 1 (qty) 3-0 nine-lite Insulated Steel Door with Keyless Lever Locking Hardware
Windows: 4 (qty) 4’x2’ Insulated Slider Window: White Vinyl Interior/Exterior w/ Screen
1 (qty) 2’x2’ Insulated Awning Window: White Vinyl Interior/Exterior w/ Screen
Additional Features
Loft Ladder
Estimated Assembly Time
Estimated Assembly Time: Two People: 103 hrs
16×30 Living Vermont Cottage A
Base Area: 480 sq. ft.
Loft Area: 96 sq. ft.
Total Interior Area: 456 sq. ft.
Porch Area: 120 sq. ft.
Recommended Foundation: Compacted 12” Crushed Gravel
Overall Dimensions: 14’6” H x 32’6” W x 18’6” D
Estimated Weight: 22,300 lbs
FLOOR SYSTEM
3 (qty) 6x6x30’ Hemlock Skids
2”x6” Kiln Dried Spruce Joists 16” On Center
¾” CDX Plywood Floor Decking
1” rough sawn Hemlock Porch Decking
Floor Vapor Barrier
5½” Fiberglass Insulation (R21)
Under Deck Sheathing: ⅜” Plywood
Floor Weight Rating: 25 lbs/ sq. ft.
LOFT
8×12
Ladder Access
2”x6” rough sawn Hemlock Joists 24” on center
Smooth Shiplap Pine Loft Decking
Weight Rating 10 lbs / sqft
WALLS
Exposed 4”x4” Hemlock Post and Beam Wall Framing
Wall Height: Front: 128” Rear: 96”
Wall Vapor Barrier
Foil Backed Rigid Foam Insulation (R13)
Shiplap Pine Interior Sheathing
Siding: 1” rough sawn Pine Board & Batten
1″ rough sawn Pine Corner, Door, Window, Fascia & Shadow Trim
ROOF
Gable Roof Style
Roof Pitch: 8/12
2”x6” Kiln Dried Spruce Rafters 24” On Center
2″x6″ Kiln Dried Spruce Exposed Collar Ties
1” rough sawn Solid Barn Board Roof Sheathing
Roof Vapor Barrier
5½” Fiberglass Insulation (R21)
Shiplap Pine Interior Ceiling Sheathing
Corrugated 29g Metal Roofing, Color: Evergreen
12” Overhangs on all sides
DOOR & WINDOWS:
Door: 1 (qty) 3-0 nine-lite Insulated Steel Door with Keyless Lever Locking Hardware
Windows: 4 (qty) 4’x2’ Insulated Slider Window: White Vinyl Interior/Exterior w/ Screen
1 (qty) 2’x2’ Insulated Awning Window: White Vinyl Interior/Exterior w/ Screen
Additional Features
Loft Ladder
Estimated Assembly Time
Estimated Assembly Time: Two People: 112 hrs
