Sheds
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Cottage




cottage

A Shelter built Cottage provides a place of retreat from the rest of the world.

Cottage Suggested Uses:
  • Guest room
  • Office
  • Library/Writers Haven
  • Art studio
  • Music studio
  • Exercise room
  • Classroom
  • Chapel
  • Family room
  • Espresso stand
  • Pool house
  • Sauna
  • Hot tub room
  • Bed & Breakfast lodging
  • Worker housing
  • Mini-Cabin
  • Trail shelter
  • Park rental unit
  • Camp lodging
Why Consider a Shelter Built Cottage ?
The professional design of a Shelter built Cottage shows from every angle and will enhance any property. Whether located on a recreational site our your backyard, a Cottage will be a tasteful and useful addition.

A Shelter built Cottage is a smaller space with diverse use in mind. Consequently, careful design consideration is given to activity, sitting, sleeping and storage spaces. Other priorities include natural lighting and a feeling of openness even within a cozy size. A vaulted ceiling is standard in every Cottage which creates a more useful and comfortable interior space.

The structural integrity of a Shelter built Cottage can be engineered to allow it to withstand extreme wind and snow accumulation as well as be insulated to very high R-values.

A Shelter built Cabin also includes these other great features:

  • Delivered as a panelized kit to simplify the construction process.
  • Optional installation by experience Shelter craftsmen.
  • Cottage designs that allow for installation on any terrain without expensive footing & stemwall foundations.
  • Building materials and techniques that are equivalent or better than typical site built homes.
Choosing Your Cottage
Rule #1:Bigger is not necessarily better

Rule #2:It should excel in its main intended purpose

Rule #3:It needs to inspire those who spend time there

Rule #4: Check out our Gallery of Cottage designs. Yes, they can be flipped, reversed or otherwise modified to suit your particular situation.

cottage cottage
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATIONS ARE STANDARD WITH ALL SHELTER BUILT COTTAGES.
Floor System

FLOOR PANELS ARE BUILT USING :

  • 3/4" OSB subfloor (glued and fastened with ring-shank nails)
  • 2x6 DF floor joists spaced 16" on center
  • R-30 insulation (foil faced foam)
  • 1/4" plywood soffit (to keep them pesky rodents out)
  • 4x8 to 6x10 Pressure treated cottage support girders (as required by design)
NOTE: The framed floor may be deducted if you choose to install your Cottage on an insulated concrete slab floor.

Wall System

WALL PANELS ARE BUILT USING :

  • 2x6 SPF wall top & bottom plates
  • 2x6 SPF wall studs spaced 16" on center
  • Double studs on each side of window and door openings
  • 2x6California corner framing
  • Fireblocking (as needed)
  • 4x6 to 4x10 Douglas Fir window and door headers (as required by design)
  • 7/16" OSB wall sheathing
Roof system
ROOF PANELS ARE BUILT USING:
  • Engineered ridge beam (Which allows for a vaulted ceiling design)
  • 2x6 SPF rafters 24" on center
  • Vented birdblocking
  • Closed plywood soffits
  • Ventilated ridge
  • 12"- 16" minimum eave size
  • Cedar Barge and Fascia boards
  • 7/16" OSB roof sheathing
Other Standard Specifications
  • Steel insulated entry door (primed)
  • Vinyl framed insulated windows (white)
  • Tyvek or Typar brand house wrap
  • Hardi brand fiber cement lap siding
  • Primed spruce siding trim boards (corners, windows, doors)
  • Laminated 30 year composition roofing (your color choice)

SHELTER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Cottage Options !!!
  • R-21 Kraft-faced fiberglass wall insulation
  • R-30 Foam roof insulation
  • Tongue and groove pine interior paneling
  • Square timber or log accents
  • Open Beam ceiling
  • Other siding types:
    • Stainable natural wood board & batt
    • 8" Cedar tight knot lap siding
    • Cedar shingle siding
  • Closed soffits
  • Exterior Painting / Staining
  • Other roofing types:
    • Snap Loc standing seam metal roofing
    • Cedar shake roofing
  • Gutters
  • Entry deck & steps
  • Heavier construction features to allow for extreme weather conditions : wind & snow loads
  • Extended Delivery distance
  • U-build or We-build
IF YOU DON'T SEE AND OPTION YOU WOULD LIKE ON YOUR COTTAGE, PLEASE LET US KNOW !

The Ptarmigan - Click on one or more images to enlarge & compare
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The Ptarmigan- (92 square feet)
 
The Ptarmigan Cottage is a mini-space with maximum features. The vaulted roof line with over 11' to the impressive exposed ridge beam creates a feeling of space larger than its footprint. With a full glass 5' French door and another 5 windows, the Ptarmigan will never be without adequate natural lighting or view potential. From amply covered porch to the double window seat/desk nooks, the Ptarmigan invites one to come and escape.

The Ptarmigan is available in a several different construction packages from:

A Do-It-Yourself Panelized Cottage Framing Kit at:

$5,455 (+tax & delivery)

To a Built-4-U Weather tight Cottage Shell (by Shelter Craftsmen) complete with Laminated 30-year composition roofing, Insulated floor, Insulated 5' French door, White Vinyl windows and Hardiplank siding at:

* $13,218 (+ tax & delivery) * Owner is responsible for permitting and foundation.

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Twin Lakes - Click on one or more images to enlarge & compare
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Twin Lakes- (112 square feet)
 
The Twin Lakes Cottage is a welcoming space that encourages one to kick off your shoes and stay awhile. Large enough for a library or studio with dramatic features like an 11' vaulted ceiling, exposed ridge beam, custom gable windows and French door. You won't want to leave.

The Twin Lakes is available in a several different construction packages from:

A Do-It-Yourself Panelized Cottage Framing Kit at:

$6,446 (+tax & delivery)

To a Built-4-U Weather tight Cottage Shell (by Shelter Craftsmen) complete with Laminated 30-year composition roofing, Insulated floor, Insulated 5' French door, White Vinyl windows and Hardiplank siding at:

* $15,675 (+ tax & delivery) * Owner is responsible for permitting and foundation.

Twin Sisters - Click on one or more images to enlarge & compare
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The Twin Sisters- (172 square feet)
 
The Twin Sisters Cottage is sized for activities that may need a little more room. Easily large enough for the home office, guest bedroom or art studio, The Twin Sisters is designed to inspire those who enter with significant natural lighting via 5 ample windows, full vaulted ceiling featuring exposed beams and an extra nook area large enough for an efficiency kitchen or entertainment center.

The Twin Sisters is available in a several different construction packages from:

A Do-It-Yourself Panelized Cottage Framing Kit at:

$8,477 (+tax & delivery)

To a Built-4-U Weather tight Cottage Shell (by Shelter Craftsmen) complete with Laminated 30-year composition roofing, Insulated floor, Insulated 5' French door, White Vinyl windows and Hardiplank siding at:

* $19,499 (+ tax & delivery) * Owner is responsible for permitting and foundation.

The Raven - Click on one or more images to enlarge & compare
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The Raven- (184 square feet)
 
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The Raven Cottage has the lower pitched roof line and amply covered front porch of the classic bungalow. Both cozy and versatile, this Cottage can perform very well as a bunkhouse or B&B lodging. The twin nooks are sized to accommodate bunk-beds, efficiency kitchen or ½ bath . Complete with coat and shelving niches, vaulted ceiling with 3- exposed roof purlins, 6' French door and custom gable window the Raven is a very pleasant living space.

The Raven is available in a several different construction packages from:

A Do-It-Yourself Panelized Cottage Framing Kit at:

$8,565 (+tax & delivery)

To a Built-4-U Weather tight Cottage Shell (by Shelter Craftsmen) complete with 12' x 6' covered entry deck, Laminated 30-year composition roofing, Insulated floor, Insulated 6' French door, White Vinyl windows and Hardiplank siding at:

* $20,134 (+ tax & delivery) * Owner is responsible for permitting and foundation.

The Osprey - Click on one or more images to enlarge & compare
cottage
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The Osprey- (196 square feet)
 
The Osprey Cottage can do it all from deluxe office or guest suite to mini-cabin. Interesting vaulted roof lines and window details create an ample space with it's own unique flair. The cantilevered roof over the entry deck also creates an inviting outside area of relaxation.

The Osprey is available in a several different construction packages from:

A Do-It-Yourself Panelized Cottage Framing Kit at:

$9,514 (+tax & delivery)

To a Built-4-U Weather tight Cottage Shell (by Shelter Craftsmen) complete with 10' x 6' covered entry deck, Laminated 30-year composition roofing, Insulated floor, Insulated 5' French door, White Vinyl windows and Hardiplank siding at:

* $24,073 (+ tax & delivery) * Owner is responsible for permitting and foundation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED COTTAGE QUESTIONS

How is a Shelter built Cottage different than a typical shed?

In the same way a new site built home is different than a typical shed, so is a Shelter built Cottage.

Our Cottages are built to International Residential Code (IRC) standards and, as such, are expected to have the structural durability and livability of a full scale home. Also, basic to the Shelter approach, is a commitment to building structures that are pleasing to the eye. To reach these ends our designs are executed by professionals in the building industry. The results are Cottages that can be easily plumbed, heated, wired, insulated and finished as any full scale site built home would be. There are no shed-like compromises in a Shelter built Cottage.

Is a Building Permit required to install a Shelter built Cottage?

The short answer is, " it depends on your particular circumstance ".

According to the International Residential Code (R105.2) work that meets all of the following criteria is exempt from requiring a building permit:

  1. A structure that is detached from other structures.
  2. A structure that is one-story.
  3. A structure that is accessory to currently existing structures on the same property.
  4. A structure with use that is incidental to the main building on the same property.
  5. A structure with a floor area not exceeding 200 square feet.

Also exempt from the building permit requirement, According to the IRC (R105.2) are the following situations:

  • Portable appliances for heating, ventilation, cooling, cooking & clothes drying that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
  • Self contained refrigeration systems containing 10 lbs. or less of refrigerant or are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.

It is important to remember that if your project is exempt from the requirement of a building permit, this does not exempt it from being built according to IRC, local zoning or community covenant standards.

Some examples:

  • Any structure should abide by local zoning standards regarding set-back distances to property lines.
  • Some local juristictions have reduced the 200 square feet allowance to 120 square feet.
  • Some community covenants will require approval by an architectural committee.

What type of assistance will Shelter provide me in acquiring a Building Permit for my Cottage?

Upon receipt of Building Deposit, Shelter will provide the following Building Permit assistance:

  1. Building plans detailed according to local Building Department requirements.(A building Site Plan is typically also required for permitting. Shelter can provide this drawing service.)
  2. Phone consultation with Owner and/or Local Building Department.

Can I live in a Shelter built Cottage?

  1. If this is a question of livability then the answer is definitely " Yes ". A Shelter built Cottage can easily be finished to the comfort level of a larger site-built home.
  2. If this is a question of legality then the answer is " Yes ", if you have met all local permitting requirements.

Can changes be made to a Cottage plan?

Some minor changes can be made with no or minimal effect to the Cottage cost, such as:

  • Reduction in window/door sizes.
  • Relocation of window/ door openings ( within structural limitations ).
  • Reversing or flipping a plan.

Some other changes can be made with minimal effect to the Cottage cost such as:

  • Enlarging window/door sizes (within structural limitations).
  • Adding options to the Cottage Kit ( see Options on "Specifications & Options" page.

Some more changes can be made with costs to be charged accordingly such as:

  • Change of square footage
  • Change of roof pitch
  • Increases in structural engineering requirements (charged at $100 per hour)

What are the structural load capacities of a Shelter built Cottage?

Every Shelter built Cottage is designed to accommodate the following load criteria:

  1. Seismic Zone - D1
  2. Wind Load - Exposure B
  3. Snow Load - 25# psf
  4. Floor Load - 40# psf live / 13# psf dead

My building site is hillside and located where snowfall and wind are extra heavy. Is a Cottage capable of being installed in this type of location?

Yes , a Cottage can be installed anywhere any other structure can be built. In some instances, a Cottage can be installed even where a larger structure could not, because of its lesser size and lesser foundation requirement. Once seismic, wind and snow loads of your site are addressed via proper engineering, the other primary consideration will be the bearing capacity of the soil which will influence final foundation design.

What type of foundation is required to support a Cottage?

A concrete pier foundation system. Why?

  1. Because it requires a minimal amount of excavated area which saves on expensive machine time or it allows for the option of being hand dug.
  2. Because minimal excavated area means less disturbance of the natural terrain.
  3. Because it requires a minimal amount of concrete, rebar, forming materials, etc.
  4. Because it is easily adapted to flat or sloped building sites.
  5. Because with Sonotube http://www.sonotube.com/faq.html and Bigfoot http://www.bigfootsystems.com/index.htm forming systems it is very Do-It-Yourself friendly.

I would like a Do-It-Yourself Cottage Kit. What type of building assistance will Shelter provide?

Shelter provides the following building assistance with the Do-It-Yourself Cottage Kit:

Preframed Panels shipped in proper order of construction.

  1. Labeled panels and componants that correspond with labeled building plans.
  2. Written instructions.
  3. Instructional photographs.
  4. Phone and email consultation.

As the Owner what are my responsibilities regarding Cottage Kit delivery?

Your Cottage Kit will arrive bundled and stacked on a flatbed trailer. Some componants , such as doors, windows or metal roofing will require hand unloading to avoid damage. Other componants , such as Preframed Panels may be dumped as any typical lumber delivery would be done.

As the Owner your responsibilities will be to:

  1. Provide sufficient truck and trailer access and turn-around area.
  2. Provide sufficient hands-on labor for a one-hour unloading time (at least 2-persons capable of lifting 75 pounds per person. ( Do not include the Truck Driver . He only brings and unbinds the load.)
  3. Provide a forklift (or similar) if truck or site conditions do not allow for load dumping.
  4. Provide final Cottage Kit Payment upon delivery.

What materials are included in a Do-It-Yourself Cottage Kit?

The Panelized Cottage Framing Kit includes:

  • All the necessary Preframed floor, wall and roof panels to frame your particular Cottage model. In other words all floor joist, floor sheathing, wall studs, wall plates and headers, wall sheathing, roof rafters, roof sheathing and ridge beam
  • All roof eave trim: Cedar fascia, barge and rake trim
  • Treated floor girders per Cottage design.
  • Installed R-30 foam floor insulation
  • All necessary fasteners
  • Installation instructions

In Addition you may add the following items to the Panelized Cottage Framing Kit:

  • Roofing Materials
  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Siding & Soffits
  • Panelized Deck
  • Preframed entry steps
  • Gutters & Downspouts
  • Wall and Roof insulation
  • Interior T&G 1x6 pine for ceiling and wall surfaces

How much does the average Preframed Panel weigh?

Floor Panel Weight

All preframed floor panels are framed using 2x6 floor and rim joists with ¾" sheathing on the top, 3/8"sheathing on the bottom and 4 ½" R-30 foam insulation in between .

The net weight of a preframed floor panel is 6.25# per square foot or 200# per 4'x8' panel .

Wall Panel Weight

All preframed wall panels are framed with 2x6 studs and 7/16" wall sheathing

The net weight of a preframed wall panel is 3.3# per square foot or 106# per 4' x 8' panel.

Roof Panel Weight

All preframed roof panels are framed with 2x6 rafters and 7/16" roofl sheathing

The net weight of a preframed roof panel is 3# per square foot or 96# per 4' x 8' panel.

Other Weights

  • Building support girders: 10# per lineal foot.
  • Exposed roof ridge beams: 12.6# per lineal foot.

How much building help should I have?

Your quantity of building help is all about your own physical and carpentry capabilities. It is possible to build a Cottage without help. The panels can be moved using a simple two-wheeled garden cart for example. Roof beams and panels can be slid up a leaning ladder or board. A come-a-long can also be very useful for lifting to the roof area. Of course if you are under a time deadline then the more help the better.

What carpentry skill level should I or my helpers have?

At least one person on your crew should be of average carpentry ability. Which means that this person should understand and be experienced with normal floor, wall and roof framing technique. This person should also have familiarity with dealing with the challenges related to working on ladders and scaffolding, maintaining accuracy, and maneuvering heavy objects. A good crew arrangement includes this person, another with some elementary carpentry skills to fill the role of "carpenter's helper" and a third person as a general laborer.

How long should I expect framing panel assembly to take?

The average Panelized Cottage Framing Kit will take 3-persons, 3-days to assemble.

What type of tool assortment should I have available?

  • A tool belt with the typical assortment of hand tools: hammer, pencil, 25' tape measure, speed square, chisel, cats paw & chaulk line.
  • 6' & 8' step ladders
  • 16' extension ladder
  • Builder's level or water level
  • Skil saw and cord
  • 4' level
  • Drill with 3/8"&½" auger bits (12")
  • ½" ratchet with socket set

Can interior finishing materials also be supplied with the Do-It-Yourself Cottage Kit?

Yes , as mentioned above, wall and roof insulation as well as pine t&g 1x6 paneling boards can be included with the Cottage Kit. Other finishing materials such as pine interior doors or trim wood can be as well. Your building situation should determine what interior finish materials are included with your Cottage Kit. For common interior finishing materials (such as drywall or floor covering) it often will make the most sense to purchase them locally rather than to pay extra freight on the same materials sent from Shelter. However, if you are building on a very remote site, then Shelter supplied finish materials would make perfect sense.

I am interested in having Shelter Craftsmen build my Cottage.

As the Owner, what will be my building responsibilities?

Your building responsibilities will include :

  1. Providing sufficient truck & trailer access and turn-around area within 100' of Cottage location.
  2. Provide on-site power with a minimum 20 amp breaker.
  3. Provide outhouse or bathroom access.
  4. Provide properly installed Cottage foundation. (Some acceptions apply )
  5. Provide proper permitting.

In addition , if your building location requires overnight lodging & meals or ferry travel, It will be the Owners responsibility to compensate for such expenses. Typically, if your site is within 75 miles of Bellingham , WA ( excluding the San Juan Islands ) these expenses will not be incurred.

What building services will Shelter provide?

At Shelter we like to say that we will do the hard parts so you can do the fun parts.

What that can look like is that Shelter Craftsmen arrive on-site with the Cottage delivery. We will unload the delivery truck, assemble the panelized Cottage Kit and continue with the installation of your roofing, siding, windows and doors. We canl even install your gutters, entry steps and paint your Cottage as well. At this point you will have a weathertight Cottage Shell. Also, at this point, the "hard parts" of the building process have been completed and now yourself or other trades people of your choosing will be able to complete the Cottage interior to your specifications.

So, Shelter building services range from erecting only the panelized Cottage Kit to full completion of a weathertight Cottage Shell. The choice is yours.

Can I still be involved in building my Cottage even if Shelter Craftsmen are involved?

Yes , as circumstances allow, Shelter is willing to consider a cooperative work arrangement by trading out a Shelter workman in trade for your own participation on the crew. Cottage cost would be adjusted accordingly.

Besides that, once Shelter has completed its primary function of completing the Cottage shell, then the rest of the building process is available for your hands-on involvement anyway.

What is the expected payment schedule for a Shelter built Cottage?

  1. 10% Building Deposit at the time of Cottage order.
  2. 40% at commencement of Cottage panelization at Shelter shop.
  3. 35% at delivery of Cottage Kit to building site.
  4. ( or 50% if delivery is a Do-It-Yourself Cottage Kit)
  5. Final 15% at completion of Shelter construction of Cottage.

 

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