Text Wizard Copywriting - log cabin building instructions

Background

Finnforest produce a wide range of self-build log cabins, gazebos, decks and pools. Most of the instruction manuals were written by me.

Now here's the surprise: I've never made one, nor have I ever seen one being built. I always work from plans and from pictures of the components. It's not that hard if you can visualise the process in 3-D. I build the structures in my head as I write. And if I do get something wrong, the guy who produces the illustrations will soon put me right. Between the pair of us, we can sort out most problems.

This is the kind of project in which attention to detail counts. When the client comes back with an amendment or a design change, I have to know where it fits within the plan and how many other components or instructions will be affected. I don't just hold the physical structure in my head, I also keep a picture of the documentation.

Tnree steps from the 100-step instruction guide follow. Each step coincides with an illustration.

	13.5	Building up the gable ends reveals a succession of slots for the roof beams. Tap roof beams (part ref R1) into the appropriate slots in the slopes of the gable ends. Make sure that the upper surface of the beams lie flush with the slope of the gable. Nail through into the gable logs to secure.
	13.5
	13.6	Tap the ridge beam (part ref R2) into place at the apex of the gable triangles. Secure by nailing into the uppermost gable log.
	13.6
	13.7	Window fascias (part ref WB) cover the expansion gaps between the upper edges of the window frames and the overlying wall logs. The rebate on the back of the fascias fits over the upper part of the window frame. Nail the window fascias to the wall logs (not the window frames) above both windows on the inside and outside of your cabin.