Building a cottage: It should be a labour of love

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This article was published 29/05/2005 (7528 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SO, you’re thinking of building a cottage, and not just any cottage. After all, your new (ideally) lakeside abode will not only be your summer getaway, but will also one day serve as a year-round residence when you retire.

Star Package Sales’ Norman Shorland says that this approach to cottage building is rapidly becoming the rule, rather than the exception.

“Years ago, we sold all kinds of packages for basic 24-foot by 32-foot cottages, which were essentially glorified garages,” he says. “Nowadays, cottages can be complicated to build with their high ceilings — in many cases, the trusses have to be put up with a crane. Building a cottage today is no longer a simple project.”

Windsor Plywood’s co-owner, Ed Johner, concurs.

“Cottages can no longer be classified as simple structures,” he says. “That said, some cottages are still smaller, thrown together jobs for budgetary reasons. But the majority of cottages being built today are well over 1,000 square feet in size. These days, cottages are being built like houses because people are thinking of retiring to them at some point.”

The consequence of building more elaborate cottages is obvious: unlike in the past, they cannot be a rush job. Stricter building requirements have seen to that in part. More complex building plans — and the need for people to create a living space that rivals their home in amenities — has also made building a cottage a (potentially) multi-year process rather than a slam-bang spring/summer project.

Here are some guidelines to help make building your cottage a labour of love, rather than an unending source of frustration.

1. Plan the project in advance. While this might seem obvious, many people tend to approach building a cottage in the same spontaneous manner that they approach life, says Star Building Materials’ cottage and home designer, Chris Leverence.

“When people call us for advice, we tell them not to leave all the details to the last minute,” he says. “For example, many people decide to build a cottage and rush out to get plans. Ideally, you should start planning at least a year before. That gives you time to get all your permits in order, and find a plan that best suits your needs. Being organized sets the tone for the project. Taking your time helps everything go smoother from the word go.”

When it comes to building a cottage, adds Johner, preparation is the secret to minimizing stress.

“That means getting brochures, reading books and going on the Internet to educate yourself. By taking the time to do that, you’ll know what you want ahead of time — the plan you want, costs, and the products you want to use in construction,” he says. “Educating yourself beforehand really helps you foresee problems before they happen.”

McDiarmid Lumber’s Andrew Mayberry says that if a year seems like too much lead time, give yourself a bare minimum of three months.

“You’ve got to look at least three months ahead,” he says. “This gives you time to find an appealing plan — and then modify it so it suits you. Almost all the cottages we see being built are built with the potential to be winterized for year-round use. If you’re going to be using your cottage as a year-round residence at some point, it’s important to get a layout you like in every respect.”

2. Get a good, clear set of building plans. “Without everything on paper, you have no central point of reference,” Leverence points out. “You might have some great ideas, but if they aren’t detailed and down on paper for everyone to see, chances are the building process won’t be precise. That’s when cost overruns occur, and you don’t want that, believe me.”

Johner says that there are all kinds of excellent packages — complete with detailed plans — available.

“These days, there are tons of packages to choose from — you can build a simple cottage, something in-between or a cottage of mansion-like proportions. It’s basically up to you and how much you want to spend,” he says. “But whether you’re going small or big, you need to have a set of plans that spells the design out in a clear-cut fashion. That just makes building it easier on everyone, do-it-yourselfers and building pros alike.”

Wayne Fage of Olympic Building Supplies takes that statement one step further.

“You have to relate the design of your cottage to your lifestyle,” he says. “For example, if you like to entertain, you might want to go for an open-concept interior. If you like to lie in the bath tub and soak, you’ll probably want a bathroom that’s spacious and well-lit. Translating your needs on to a clear building plan will ensure that your cottage meets your needs in every respect.”

3. Build it right from the foundation on up. This involves two things, says Mayberry — using the best materials you can afford, and knowing your limitations.

“The bare minimum for foundations is pony stripping with thickened pads to carry the centre support beam,” he says. “Ideally, you want to use piles. I know it can be tempting to cut costs, but if you want your cottage to be as problem-free as possible for 30 or 40 years, it’s best to start it out right from the foundation up.”

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Leverence couldn’t agree more.

“Post and pad construction is a thing of the past,” he says. “At the very least, you want to have strip footing with a pony wall on top. The best foundation is a pile and grade beam system. It will increase the longevity of your cottage immeasurably, as it won’t be subjected to frost movement, which is typically the biggest problem with foundations.”

Bear in mind, adds Johner, that conditions dictate what type of foundation — these days, most foundations are of the true frost depth variety for lasting structural integrity (the top of the footing is six inches or deeper below grade, with a rigid styrofoam pad that goes four inches out around the entire perimeter of the footing to stop frost from going underneath) — a cottage can be based on.

“Some cottages can have full basements, while others can only go down inches into the soil due to underlying bedrock,” he says. “If you’re lucky, the conditions will be good, and its really up to you as to how far you want to take it. It all depends on the situation. Whatever it is, go with the best foundation you can. You’ll be happier in the long run.”

Once the proper foundation is determined and then laid, the next step is to start framing the cottage. Unless you’ve built a cottage before, it might be best to leave the framing to professionals, says Mayberry.

“Framing, with all the large trusses and other components, can be quite complex, so in my opinion, it’s a good idea to use an experienced framer,” he says. “People can be surprised at how hard it is to do properly. In fact, I’ve had many customers come to me after they had someone frame their cottage and say, ‘I’m glad I didn’t do it myself…it’s more complicated than I thought.’ Getting a pro to do it ensures it’s done right, the first time.”

As for insulation properties, Johner says most people are opting to go the fully winterized route.

“Again, it goes back to the fact that people want to be able to use their cottage year round, and then retire to it,” he says. “The trend is firmly in favour of upgrading insulation, windows and doors to make for a fully-winterized dwelling.”

When it comes to the cottage’s exterior, it is also advisable to do it right the first time, says Shorland. That means using low-maintenance materials.

“That should be your top priority by far, and it is with most people,” he says. “People don’t want to work at the cottage, they want to relax. Years ago, we saw a lot of cedar exteriors. Now, we’re seeing mainly low-maintenace vinyl, along with PVC (also vinyl) windows. The popularity of maintenance-free exterior materials also has an upside: they are now about the same price as natural materials. So putting a vinyl exterior on your cottage isn’t any more expensive than going with wood. And it will require a fraction of the attention.”

While roofing is still largely traditional in nature out at the lake — standard asphalt shingles are still the norm with some cedar and metal thrown in — vinyl and composite materials are slowly gaining popularity in areas such as steps and decks, says Mayberry.

“Composite materials and vinyls are increasing in use by a small percentage each year. They are more expensive, but composites in particular are very durable, and virtually maintenance-free — all you really have to do is wash them down and go on your way,” he says. “Pressure treated lumber is still the material of choice for steps and decks. You can get about 30 years out of it if you go with the natural variety. After that, it might need a clear sealer, but that would be only every 10 years or so. Again, use the best materials you can afford.”

4. Interior/exterior options. Bill Eva, owner of Headingley-based Can Oak Flooring, says that in some cases, people are spending more on decking out the inside of their cottage than their city residence.

“I think the reason for that is simple,” he says. “In many cases, people spend more time at their cottage than they do at home. Or they plan to spend more time at the cottage when they retire. So when they choose materials for their cottage’s interior, they often have the same, or better amenities than they do at home.”

As has been the case with exteriors, innovative new products are making for interiors that require minimal maintenance. A new hardwood flooring product is becoming increasingly popular in cottage country, says Eva.

“It’s called Solid Ancestral, and is a pre-oiled hardwood impregnated with environmentally-friendly vegetable oil,” he says. “It’s really popular because it offers one huge advantage over other products: it’s incredibly easy to remove scratches. All you need is a cotton rag and some oil. Just apply it, and the scratch is gone in seconds. This is a great new mid-range product that offers great durability and is environmentally-friendly to boot.”

At the same time, traditional flooring materials are still the most common choice.

“Pre-finished oak and maple with a varathane finish is still our bread and butter. They come with a 25-year warranty, and after that time period, they may need refinishing, although they may last longer in a cottage (than in a house) because the traffic level isn’t as high.”

Those who are price sensitive and/or want a flooring product they can install themselves also have an option to choose from.

“At the price point level, we sell a plastic laminate flooring that can be self-installed,” Eva says. “The only tools required are a saw and chalkline. The flooring simply clicks together. So all you really have to do is get down on your hands and knees to install it.”

Another new product — for both exteriors and interiors — is a self-installing cement fibre offering by Nichiha USA.

“It’s an amazing product that just came out,” says Doug Zikman, sales associate at Windsor Plywood’s Main Street store. “It’s featured on one of our RTM (ready-to-move) display homes, and has generated lots of inquiries. It comes in brick or stone styles, and you can install it on your own. It has a bottom starter strip that makes it easy to work with, and it comes in several different patterns. It gives you that great masonry look for a very reasonable price. We stock the exterior product, and will do special orders for interior product, which can be used for fireplaces and the like.”

If going green is a top priority, The Healthy Home Store’s Dom Rutigliano says it’s possible to have an eco-friendly cottage interior.

“For example, the cabinets we sell are all FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, and come in a variety of locally crafted styles,” he says. “We also sell all-natural counter tops made out of granite, cardboard, paper, recycled plastic and metals. All the stains, sealants and paints we sell are also low in V.O.C.’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). These materials look great, are durable, and healthy.”

Rutigliano says two unique options have also proven popular with cottage owners.

“Tankless water heaters have been big, as have low/dual flush toilets. With tankless water heaters, the water never runs out, and you can easily run two applications (take a shower, do the dishes) at the same time. Their compact design also saves space, and you don’t have to empty them out if you close down for the winter,” he says, adding that The Healthy Home Store also stocks sustainable flooring products made from cork and bamboo. “And low/dual flush toilets conserve all kinds of water. We even stock composting toilets that use no water at all.”

5. Want to save time? Consider an RTM cottage. Johner says that Ready to Move cottages are increasing in popularity due to one main feature.

“You don’t have to worry about building,” he says. “All you need to do is get the foundation done, and then we can drop it on site for you. And they’re available in any trim level. If you want a shell, no problem. If you want it fully furnished, we can do that, too.”

Shorland says that many customers take the RTM route because it expedites, or eliminates the construction process altogether.

“Many people just don’t want to take five years to build a cottage. They can come here (Star Package Sales) and take a look at the design before it’s built. It’s nice to be able to do that, because you can’t get a proper visual from a brochure or picture on the Internet,” he says. “In a lot of cases, we just do the shell and then put it on site. Then, people can do the low-tech things like insulation. They may want to get an electrician to do the wiring, but other than that, they can do most of the interior work themselves.”

The one limitation of RTM cottages is that the physical setting has to be just right, as accessibility can be an issue.

“Most of our RTM’s go to places like Gimli, which are easily accessible and relatively flat,” explains Shorland. “We don’t do many in the Whiteshell because of the uneven terrain and accessibility issues. But if the situation is right, they can be a real time saver.”

Regardless whether you choose to build your own cottage, collaborate with professionals in its construction or go the RTM route, Leverence has some final tips to offer.

“With cottages, the best time to build is the fall. Start in September and go from there. It’s easier to find contractors, and you can frame it up prior to the arrival of winter. It will be cleaner, with less mud, and if there are product delays, they won’t affect you as much,” he says. “It’s also a cooler environment to work in, and you won’t annoy your neighbors with non-stop racket. Then, you’ll be ready to enjoy the cottage when spring rolls around.”

Olympic’s Fage says that even if you choose to build in the off-season to save money on labour and materials, don’t expect things to go perfectly.

“I’ve been building cottages for 30 years, and nothing ever goes according to plan – you might come close, but no project is ever without its share of challenges,” he says. “Remember that nothing worthwhile ever comes easily.”

Leverence echoes his colleague’s sentiments about bringing a cottage from concept to reality.

“It will take much more energy than you think it will,” he cautions. “So plan ahead, and involve professionals in the process. We can help you steer around problems and make the building process as hassle-free as possible. In short, plan in advance, build in the off-season and seek the input of building experts. You’ll experience less frustration, and your cottage will end up being what it’s supposed to be – a retreat."