TubeAcademy
Module 08

Interior Fit-Out

Intermediate Ongoing Make it yours

The shell is up, you're weathertight, and now it's time to make it liveable. Internal wall lining, a wood stove, basic electrics, and simple plumbing if you want running water. This is where a cabin becomes a home.

Featured video

Nik's beautiful interior fit-out. Hand-built kitchen, loft, finishing details.

More resources
Pro tips
·

Tongue-and-groove pine boards are the classic cabin interior lining. Cheap, warm-looking, and easy to install over the vapour barrier.

·

A small wood-burning stove (5kW) is enough to heat a cabin up to 30m². You'll need a twin-wall insulated flue and a non-combustible hearth.

·

For off-grid electrics, a simple 12V solar panel + leisure battery setup powers LED lights, phone charging, and a small pump. No Part P certification needed for 12V.

·

If plumbing in water, a header tank gravity system is the simplest off-grid option.

Step by step
01

LINE WALLS: Fix tongue-and-groove boards horizontally or vertically over the vapour barrier, nailing into studs

02

LINE CEILING: Same approach, fix boards to underside of rafters or ceiling joists

03

FLOOR FINISH: Sand and oil the structural floor, or lay a finish floor (more T&G boards, vinyl, etc.)

04

WOOD STOVE: Position stove on a non-combustible hearth. Install twin-wall insulated flue through roof with fire-rated collar

05

Leave required clearances from combustible materials (manufacturer's spec, typically 300-450mm)

06

ELECTRICS: For 12V solar, mount panel on south-facing roof, run cable to charge controller + leisure battery

07

Wire LED lights and USB sockets from the battery

08

PLUMBING (optional): Install a header tank at height for gravity-fed cold water to a simple sink

09

Build in storage: shelving, hooks, under-bench storage. Small spaces need smart storage

What you'll need
TOOLS
Nail gun or hammer + panel pinsAmazon →
Mitre saw (for T&G boards)Amazon →
Drill/driverAmazon →
MATERIALS
Tongue-and-groove pine boards (wall/ceiling lining)Amazon →
Wood stove (5kW, Defra-approved for smoke control areas)(optional)Amazon →
Twin-wall insulated flue kit(optional)Amazon →
Non-combustible hearth slab(optional)Amazon →
12V solar panel kit (panel + controller + battery)(optional)Amazon →
LED strip lights (12V)(optional)Amazon →

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