Cabin Building Calculators & Tools

Free calculators for cabin builders and log home enthusiasts. Estimate lumber needs, project costs, and material requirements.

Board Foot Calculator

Calculate lumber requirements for your cabin project. Perfect for estimating timber frame beams, deck boards, interior trim, and custom woodwork.

Board Foot Calculator









Total Board Feet
0.00
Boards
0

Total Cost
$0.00

Cubic Feet
0.00

Formula: Board Feet = (Thickness” x Width” x Length”) / 144
Cabin Builder Tip: When ordering lumber for a cabin, add 10-15% extra for waste, and verify moisture content is below 19% for framing or below 12% for interior trim.

Lumber for Cabin Construction

Building a cabin requires significant lumber quantities. Use the calculator above to estimate costs for different components of your build.

Common Cabin Lumber Needs

Component Typical Size Est. BF/Cabin
Floor Joists 2x10 or 2x12 400-800
Wall Studs 2x6 300-600
Rafters 2x8 or 2x10 350-700
Deck Boards 5/4x6 200-500
Timber Frame Beams 6x8, 8x8 500-1500
Interior Trim 1x4, 1x6 100-300

Best Wood Species for Cabins

  • Douglas Fir - Strong, stable, excellent for framing and beams
  • Western Red Cedar - Natural rot resistance, ideal for siding and decks
  • White Pine - Economical, easy to work, good for interior paneling
  • Eastern White Cedar - Lightweight, rot-resistant, traditional log cabin choice
  • Spruce - Affordable framing lumber, widely available

Log vs. Timber Frame vs. Stick-Built

Each cabin construction method has different lumber requirements:

  • Log Cabin: Logs sold by linear foot or per log, not board feet
  • Timber Frame: Heavy timbers (6x6 and larger) often priced per BF
  • Stick-Built: Standard dimensional lumber priced per BF or per piece

More Calculators Coming Soon

We're building more free tools for cabin builders:

  • Cabin Cost Calculator
  • Heating BTU Calculator
  • Log Home Sizing Guide

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