About this building
This little outhouse was built in a shop in North Vancouver and delivered to Saturna Island, in the southern Gulf Islands. It’s 5′ x 5′ (25 sq/ft), with open-joint cedar siding, a corrugated Galvalume side wall, a standing seam roof and a reclaimed Dutch door clad in cedar.
Built in the shop
The frame was built and wrapped indoors, out of the rain. An old door was sanded and rebuilt as a Dutch door, so the top half can open on its own for light and air. Then the cedar siding and the Galvalume wall went on.
Cedar inside and out
Cedar covers the walls inside as well as out, with a cedar tongue-and-groove ceiling above. A clerestory window and the top of the Dutch door let in daylight.
Trucked to Saturna Island
When it was finished, the outhouse was lifted onto a flatbed with a crane and strapped down for the trip to the island. It now sits among the trees on Saturna Island.
| Location | Saturna Island (southern Gulf Islands), BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 5′ x 5′ (25 sq/ft) |
| Build | Built in a shop in North Vancouver, then trucked to the island |
| Siding | Open-joint cedar and corrugated Galvalume |
| Roof | Standing seam Galvalume |
| Overhangs | Front 18″; sides 12″ |
| Inside | Cedar tongue-and-groove ceiling, open-joint cedar walls, painted plywood floor |
| Door | 36″ reclaimed Dutch door clad in open-joint cedar |
| Windows | Clerestory window, plus the top of the Dutch door |
| Power and heat | None |
More photos
The photos below show more of the build and the finished outhouse.
What to plan before building an outhouse
An outhouse is small, but it still needs some planning.
- Rules: on the southern Gulf Islands, check with the Islands Trust and the Capital Regional District before building. A toilet may also need health approval.
- Shop-built: building in a shop keeps the work dry and makes island delivery simple.
- Light and air: a Dutch door and a clerestory window bring in light and fresh air.
- Materials: cedar and Galvalume stand up to wet coastal weather.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this outhouse?
It’s 5 feet by 5 feet, which is 25 sq/ft (about 2.3 m²) of floor space.
How did it get to Saturna Island?
It was built in a shop in North Vancouver, lifted onto a flatbed truck with a crane and trucked to the island.
What is a Dutch door?
A Dutch door is split across the middle, so the top half can open on its own. Here it was made from a reclaimed door and clad in cedar.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see the 8×12 Gulf Islands Cabin, or check the Shed Rules by City.