Why Tom & Kim Chose a Modern Quonset Hut for Their Prefab Lake House

When Tom and Kim W. decided it was time to replace their aging lakeside cabin, they didn’t just upgrade, they completely reimagined what a lake house could be.

From 1950s Cabin to Sleek, Modern Home

The couple’s first lake home was a three-bedroom ranch-style cabin built in 1957, and for the first few years, it was everything they could have hoped for. Though as time went on, the small cabin began to show its age—roof repair after a rough winter, cleaning out-dated gutters and repainting or finishing the exterior all became regular activities while “relaxing” by the lake.

It had its charm but also its share of house maintenance headaches. Add to that the usual leaks, cracks or damage from Mother Nature and the environment that naturally occurs in a house several decades old, it became clear that this cozy lake house bungalow wasn’t working. Tom and Kim spent more time working on the cabin than enjoying it!

Kim did the math on the time and money it would take to update the house and realized they might be better off building a new lake house altogether. The question was whether they could find a house that was cheap enough to make sense but strong enough to last for decades. Kim’s research led them to an unexpected but perfect solution: a Quonset hut-style prefab lake home kit.

“We looked at prefab homes, log cabins. I wanted something that was maintenance-free and neat-looking,” said Tom.

Why a Quonset Made Sense for Their Lake House Plans

After discovering modern Quonset hut homes, Tom and Kim were impressed by the design, durability, and ease of construction. However, it was the practical benefits that sealed the deal.

Here’s why a Quonset-style lake house kit checked all their boxes:

• A Design that Stands Out: Being surrounded by their neighbors’ eclectic architecture, Tom and Kim loved that a modern Quonset hut would make a bold, architectural statement on the lake. The couple opted for the classic Q-Model, the most popular model for Quonset hut homes.
• Open Floor Plan: The clear-span interior gave them the freedom to decorate the interior of their new home exactly how they wanted to. There was plenty of room for the basics, kitchen, bath, and bedrooms, plus a large open space to enjoy.

“There are many shapes and styles of Quonsets, but we chose the most rounded style because it gives us the most headroom on the second floor.”

• Lower Maintenance: After dealing with their aging 1957 cabin for years, Tom wanted something that would last. The steel shell and Galvalume Plus coating gave them peace of mind for lakefront weather and long-term protection.
• Efficient and Budget-Friendly: Tom and Kim were impressed with the price point compared to other prefab lake house kits, and the energy efficiency of the metal building made it a smart long-term investment.
• A Shell to Customize: Using steel arches as a structural shell of your home allows for complete customization of the endwalls and exterior of the building. Tom and Kim meshed the traditional lakehouse look with the steel arch designs creating a one-of-a-kind lakehouse cabin.

“We love the open floor plan and efficiency of such a modern structure,” Tom said.

Tom and Kim’s new Quonset lake house is everything they hoped for and is built to last for years of lakefront memories with their family.