Tiny Houses

Easy to assemble A-frame cabin goes up in a long weekend

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The Den Cabin Kit is currently only available in the US and Canada
Reyaz Alankandy
The Den Cabin Kit reaches a maximum height of 12 ft (3.6 m)
Brandon Schulman
The Den Cabin Kit has a door at the rear and is fronted by glazing
Brandon Schulman
The Den Cabin Kit can fit a double bed or two single beds
Brandon Schulman
The Den Cabin Kit features a simple interior decor and is finished in wood
Brandon Schulman
The Den Cabin Kit is raised slightly off the ground
Brandon Schulman
The Den Cabin Kit will set you back US$21,000 including all materials
Brandon Schulman
The Den Cabin Kit comes with optional extras including solar panels for off-the-grid functionality and "four season" insulation
Brandon Schulman
The Den Cabin Kit's interior is a simple one room space and is best thought of as a weekend retreat, rather than full-time home
Brandon Schulman
The Den Cabin Kit is currently only available in the US and Canada
Reyaz Alankandy
View gallery - 9 images

There's something timeless about the classic A-frame cabin and while handy types can build their own from scrap materials for as little as US$700, the less DIY inclined who would rather follow a plan and have the materials supplied to them have another option with the Den Cabin Kit. Costing $21,000, the kit is claimed very easy to build over two or three days.

Though we've reported on hardcore tiny house enthusiasts who have lived in even smaller homes, the Den Cabin Kit is definitely intended as a simple retreat and contains no toilet or running water, for example, so it would be a good fit as guest bedroom, holiday rental, overnight retreat or similar. One can't help but notice that high cost so we quizzed Den Outdoors on its pricing and the firm says that its kit stands out from others on the market as it has been carefully designed from the ground-up to be as easy to build as possible.

"Unlike other cabin kits out there that are just pre-cut dimensional lumber packed alongside some basic construction materials, the Den Cabin Kit goes miles further," Den Outdoors founder Mike Romanowicz told us over email. "Under the hood, we have components that are cut with CNC precision, a design that slots together intuitively, and a kit so complete even the door hardware is included so you won't need to make any trips to the hardware store.

"The cabin bolts and screws together and all the holes are pre-drilled making for fast assembly. There are no nails in the construction so you could take it down if you wanted to and move it if the first place you picked wasn't the right spot. Even though it's 'semi-permanent' in this regard it's no less a building and can withstand the harshest elements, with four season compatibility. It comes flat packed on a truck for you to immediately begin, and our team even packs all the materials in the order you need them in your build. Just take from the top of the stack and go."

Brandon Schulman

The cabin measures a snug 115 sq ft (10 sq m) and consists of a timber frame, with the exterior finished in either black or silver metal, or natural wood. There are no surprises inside, with a single small space that can be fitted with two beds or one double bed and some seating, for example, a wooden finish, and a large window framing the view (the door is situated on the opposite side to the glazing). It also has an operable window and air vent.

For those who would like to run it off-the-grid or in all weather, there are optional extras including "four season" insulation, a propane-powered heating system, a solar panel system, as well as furniture and more.

Though the firm is looking to offer the Den Cabin Kit elsewhere, at the moment availability is limited to the USA and Canada.

Source: Den Outdoors

View gallery - 9 images
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5 comments
BlueOak
Interesting. Expensive. Seems like a strong wind might tip it over without a permanent foundation. And that permanent foundation in some communities makes all the difference in amping up the ordinance/building code requirements.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really nice. It seems like such an affordable price if one builds it oneself.

I think it would be great as a place for homeless where they help to put it together / assemble it.

I think it would be great for out of the way camp areas where one can hike to it and rest over night. Perhaps have a common area where one has facilities.
WB
seems like an incredibly inefficient use of space
Karmudjun
Can you put a dozen together and build a McMansion?

Looks like the kind of thing I'd have loved in my 20's, but at my age, I'd like a little more luxury with no stairs. But it does look like "your own youth hostel".
nick101
Even someone with so-so carpentry skills like myself could build the equivalent of something like this, the only tricky part would be the windows. A loft would be easy too, it could be built remotely and assembled where ever you like. Save big $$!