black & decker the complete guide to treehouses, 2nd edition: design & build your kids a...
TRANSCRIPT
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TheCompleteGuideto
TREEHOUSES2ndEdition
Design&BuildYourKidsaTreehouse
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ContentsTheCompleteGuidetoTreehouses
Introduction
LoftyIdeas
TreehouseBasics
ChoosingaTree
GeneralTreeHealth
IsItBigEnough?
Location
Behavior
GroomingtheWinner
ChoosingaTreeSpecies
Planning&Design
BuildingCodes&ZoningLaws
ElementsofaTreehouse
DesignConsiderations
DrawingPlans
Lumber&Hardware
TreehouseSafety
SafeTreehouseDesign
WorkingSafely
TreehouseBuildingTechniques
BuildingPlatforms
PlatformBasics
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PlatformAnchoringTechniques
InstallingDecking
PlatformDesigns
SingleTree:PlatformNestledinBranches
SingleTree:TrunkasCenterPost
TwoTrees:PlatformSpanningBetweenTrunks
ThreeTrees:PlatformSpanningBetweenTrunks
TwoTrees&TwoSupportPosts
Framing&FinishingWalls
FramingWalls
Siding&Trim
InstallingWalls
BuildingRailings
FinishingInteriors
Wall&CeilingPaneling
Shelves&Tables
Flip-downTable&Bunk
Doors&Windows
BuildingaWindow
WindowCutouts
Shutters&Pop-upWindows
FunDoors
ClassicDoors
BuildingRoofs
FramingtheRoof
Sheathing&Roofing
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ModesofAccess
Ladders
Stairs
TrapDoors
Fireman’sPole
Swings&Playthings
ClassicTreeSwings
ZipLine
RockClimbingWall
WaterCannon
SpeakingTube
Slides
TreehouseProjects
Open-airTreehouse
GableHousewithEntryDeck
MoreTreehousePlans
Plan1:GableRoofwithAuxiliaryPosts
Plan2:A-framewithWalkoutDeck
Plan3:Half-coveredCrow’sNest
Plan4:WraparoundShedonStilts
Plan5:TriangularTreeHut
Plan6:Four-treeShanty
Resources/PhotoCredits
Index
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Introduction
Atreehousemaybethetruestexampleof“living”space.Forkids,it’saroomthatneverhastobecleaned,aplaceformuddyshoesandbugjarsandadventuresrealandimagined;ahousethatyoucanpaintwheneverandhoweveryouwant,withoutgainingapproval.Foradults,it’saroomthatneverhastobecleaned,aplaceformuddyshoesand...well,yougettheidea.Butbestofallatreehouseisupinatree.Andthat’sjustcool.
Ifyou’refortunateenoughtohaveayardwithatleastonesizabletreeonit,you’veprobablyentertainedtheideaofbuildingatreehouse(afterall,youarehuman,whichmakesyouroughly96percentchimp).Sowhat’sstoppingyou?Let’ssee...you’renotacarpenter,yourdesignskillsarelargelyortotallyuntested,andyoudon’tknowthefirstthingaboutbuildingahouse,letaloneonethathovers10feetabovetheground.Nobigdeal—youcandothis.
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Thefirststepistolearnalittlebitabouttreesanddecidewhetheryouhaveasuitablehost.Anddon’tworryifyouryardisn’tblessedwiththeperfectspecimen;thereareplentyofoptionsforthearboreallychallenged.Nextcomesabasiclessonintreehousedesign(ifyoucantellthedifferencebetweena2×4andalagscrew,you’lldojustfine).Hereyou’llalsolearntheimportantrelationshipbetweenthetreeandthehousedesignandwhythelivingwooddeterminesthebestplanforthelumber.
Thefoundationofanytreehouseistheplatform.That’swhat’sanchoredtothetreeandthereforerequiresthemostspecializedtechniquesandconsiderations.Butoncetheplatformisinplace,atreehousegoesupprettymuchlikeanyoutdoorbuilding,suchasashedoradoghouseforanIrishWolfhound.Yettreehousesaren’tjusttree-borneoutbuildings;manyofthemaremorelikeout-therebuildings,withfunkyangles,funaccessories,andallmannerofcustomdetailsthatsproutfromthebuilder’simaginationor,moreaccurately,fromtheirinnerchild.Zipline,anyone?
Whateveryoucandreamup,thisbookwillhelpyoubuildit.You’llbetalkedandwalkedthrougheachpartoftheprocesssothatallthat’sleftisaddingyourowndesignideasandinspirationfromothers(kidsinparticular).Mosttreehousebuildersfindthatcreatingahouseisasmuchfunasplayinginone.Ifthisholdstrueforyou,we’llprobablyseeyoubackhereagainwhenit’stimetoputonanadditionortobreakbarkonyoursecondhome.
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LoftyIdeas
Justasnotwotreesareexactlyalike,notwotreehousesarepreciselythesameineverydetail.Infact,you’llfindasmuchifnotmorevarietyamonghousesintreesasyou’llfindamongthetreesthemselves.Thisdiversityofdesignhasalottodowithdiversityofbuilders.Treehousestendtoinspireourinnatecreativityandgrantuslicensetohavefuninawaythatterrestrialhousesandgaragesdon’t.Onthefollowingfewpagesyou’llfindastunningportfoliothatisatestamenttothediversityandcreativitythatsurroundthetreehouse.Frombrightandwhimsicaltosubduedandrelaxed,you’llfindawealthofthemes,motifs,styles,andideasthatwillinformandinspireyouinyourtreehousepursuit.
Thebiggerthetreethemoreoptionsyou’llhavefordesigningandattachingatreehouse.Here,acolorfullookouttowerwitharampandclimbingnetpiggybacksontoonesideofamatureoaktree.
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Vibrantcolorsandfunshapesaddwhimsyandplayfulnesstothistreehouse,whichalsofeaturesauniquelimbpenetrationthroughasidewall.
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Treehousesandspaceshipsoftensharesomedesignfeatures,contributingtotheout-of-this-worldappealofafortinthetrees.Despiteappearances,thestructurebeneaththistreehouseisashed,notanouthouse.(Butifitwereanouthouse,notethatthebuildersitedit,appropriately,beneaththetreehouse,notaboveit.)
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Asecretgardeninthetreeswilldelightandcharmanyone,providingfertilegroundforstorybookdreams.
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Rusticappealiscreatedbyusinglogsandlimbsinsteadoflumbertobuildyourtreehouse.Beaware,though,thatsomemunicipalitiesmaynotallowthispractice.
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Buildyourowndoortocapturepreciselythefeelingyouwantyourtreehousetoputforth.(Besides,atreehouseisnoplaceforfancymanufacturedmillworkyoubuyfromthedesignstore.)
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Atreehousecanbecomepartofatree.Byfollowingtheflowofthetreelimbsasyoudesignandbuild,youmayfindthatthetreesteersyouinintriguingdirections.
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Keepingitsimpleisasolidapproachtotreehousedesign.Aplaintreehouseisablankslatefortheimagination.
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Fourseasonsoffuncanbeenjoyedinyourtreehouse,aslongasyourcoatsandmittensareuptothetask.
Extrasupportfromasetofpostscanletyouinstallarelativelylargetreehouseinarelativelysmalltree.
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Apairoftreesroughlythesamesizeprovidesolidsupportforatreehousethat’snestledbetweenthem.
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Commonhousestylescanbeadaptedtoyourtreehousedesignwithpleasingeffect,aswiththechalet-inspiredtreehouseseenhere.
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“House”canmeanmanythingsinatree.Aroofmaybeacanopyofbranchesandawallcouldbebrightboardsandstring.Docheckwithyourlocalbuildingdepartmentbeforefollowingyourfancytoofar,however.Theroperailingsseenherewouldbered-flaggedbyalotofinspectors.
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Aclimbingnetandasturdyplatforminasprawlingtreespellbigfunforoneluckyfamily.
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Atreehouseisafortressoffunevenwithsidingfrombarkslabsandatarpaperroof.Infact,thesesimplematerialshaveabeautyalltheirownthatmanydesignersfindappealing.
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Withaplatforminplace,atreestructureisreadyforuse.Youmaywishtoaddwallsandaroofasyougotospreadouttheworkandallowyoutoadapttoactualneedsandpreferencesasyourkidsgrow.
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Atreehousehasaninside,too,andliketheexterioritcanbeassimpleorascomplexasyouchoose.Thephotosonthispagedepictatreehousethat’sdefinitelyonthemorefinishedside,withsleepingbunks,hardwoodflooring,andevenelectricity.
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Anelevatedhouseinthetreeswithanindependentpostsupportsystemhastheappealofatree-builttreehousebutwithoutmanyofthestructurallimitations.
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Whatbetterplaceforadreamydeckthanoutsidethefrontdoorofyourtreehouse?
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ShinglesidingandacompactCapeCoddesignlendtheflavorofoldNantuckettothistreehouse(eventhoughithappenstobelocatedinSaintPaul,Minnesota).
Anenclosedstaircaseinsidetheadjoiningfortprovidesshelteredaccesstothegangwayandthelookout
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perch.
Ifalltheworld’sindeedastage,thistree-basedtheater/playhousefitsrightin(andwhataperfectvenuefortheNeighborhoodKidPlayersproduction).
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Awell-designed,well-builttreehousecancompletelychangeyouroutlookongrowingup.
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TreehouseBasics
Measurethecircumferenceofpotentialhosttreesforyourtreehousetodetermineifthetreeisbigenoughforthejob.Tosupportatreehouse,asingletreeshouldbeatleast5ft.incircumference.
Thedesignprocessfortreehousesisoftenabitmorefreewheelingthanitmaybeforterrestrialstructures.Infact,thetraditionalwaytodesignatreehouse(andatechniquestillusedfrequentlytoday)isbasicallytoclimbupintoatreewithboardsandfastenersandstarttobuild,makingitupasyougoalong.Oneofthegreatattributesoftreehousesisthatthereareveryfewrules.Buttherulesthatdoexistareimportantones.Andevenexperiencedtreehousebuildersspendtimeup-frontlearningtherules,assessingtheneedsofthetreehouseoccupantsandperformingoneofthemostcriticaldesigntasks:choosingthebesttree.
Inthischapter:▪ChoosingaTree
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▪Planning&Design▪TreehouseSafety
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FamilyD-I-YIfyou’rebuildingatreehouseforkidstouseorsharewiththeadults,includetheminthedesignprocess.Manyaparenthasgonetogreatlengthstosurprisekidswithafancytreehousethatultimatelydoesn’tgetused.It’slikegiftingayoungchildwithanexquisitetoyonlytofindthattheirfavoritepartistheribbononthebox.
Notonlywillkidsgetmorepleasurefromahousetheyhelptocreate,butbyfindingpracticalsolutionstobringtheircreativeideastolife,theyalsowilllearntheessenceofarchitecture.Whoknows,youmighthaveanotherFrankLloydWrightonyourhands,orbetteryetfortreehouses,anotherChristopherWren.
Encouragecreativitybysolicitingideasfromallofyourfamilymembersandtrytoworktheideasintothefinalplan.
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ChoosingaTree
Daydreamingaside,findingyourhosttreeisthefirstrealstepinthetreehouseprocess.Thisisbecausethetreewillhavethemostsayinthefinaldesignofthetreehouse.Moreambitioustreehouseplansrequirehealthiertrees.Intheend,ifyourhosttreeisn’tuptothetask,you’llhavetoconsiderasmallertreehouseorfigureinsomepostsforstructuralsupport.
Lotsoftreehousesarehostedbymultipletrees.Thisisusuallyagoodideafromastrengthstandpoint.However,designingthehousecanbealotlikeworkingbycommittee,sincetrees,likepeople,tendtoactindependentlywhenthegoinggetstough.Formosttreehousebuilders,theselectionprocessisn’taquestionofwhichtreetousebutrather,“WilloldBarkeyinourbackyardsupportatreehouse?”Forthem,thehealthtestiscrucial.Youdon’twanttokillyourone,belovedtreebyburdeningitwithatemporarystructure.
Thischapterprovidessomegeneraltipsandrulestohelpyoufindasuitablehostforyourdreamhouse.Butbeforeyoustart,there’sthisadvice(itwon’tbethelasttimeyouhearit):Whenindoubt,askanarborist.They’reinthephonebook,they’renotexpensive,andtheycanadviseyouoneverythingfromtreediagnosistohealthypruningtolong-termmaintenance.
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GeneralTreeHealthAtreedoesn’thavetobeintheabsoluteprimeofitslifetobeasuitablehost,butitmustbehealthy.Askingatreehowit’sbeenfeelinglatelyprobablywon’tteachyoumuch,soyouhavetotakeaholisticapproachbypiecingtogethersomestandardclues.Otherfactors,suchaslocation,canruleoutacandidatemoredecisively.
AGEMaturetreesarebest.They’rebigger,stronger,andmovelessinthewindthanyoungones.Theyalsohavemoreheartwood(thehard,innercoreofdeadwood).Whenyoudrivealagscrewintoatree,it’stheheartwoodthatreallyoffersgrippingpower.
ROOTSForsomereasonpeopledon’tlikethesightofexposedrootsatthebaseofatree.Sotheycoverthemwithdirtandflowerbeds.Thisislikeburyingsomeoneatthebeachandforgettingtostopattheirneck.Itsuffocatesthetreerootsandcanaffectthehealthofthewholetree.Ifyourtree’srootflaresareburiedfromre-gradingorgardening,takeitasawarningsignthattheremightbeproblemsbelow.
Anotherthingtocheckforisgirdling,wherenewerroots—oftenfromnearbyplants—havegrownaroundthetree’sprimaryanchoringroots,cuttingofftheirlifesupply.Treesnexttounpaveddrivewaysorheavilytroddenpathsmayhavesuffereddamagefromallthetraffic;anotherwarningsign.
Tomakesureyourtree’sfoundationstayshealthy,don’tgrowgrassoraddsoilovertherootflares.Keepshrubsandothercompetingplantsoutsideofthegroundareadefinedbythereachofthebranches.Andbyallmeans,keepcarsandcrowdsoffthebaseroots,especiallyontreeswithshallowrootsystems(seeChoosingaTreeSpecies,onpage27).
TRUNK,BRANCHES&LEAVES(ORNEEDLES)Inspectthelargestmembersofthetree—thetrunkandmainbranches.Lookforlargeholesandhollowspots,rotonthebarkorexposedareas,andsignsofbuginfestation.Checkoldwoundsanddamagedareastoseehowthetreeishealing.Avoidtreeswithasignificantlean,astheyaremorelikelytotoppleinastorm.
Treeswithmultipletrunksoftenarefineforbuildingin;however,thetrunkjunctionisvulnerabletobeingpulledapart,especiallyundertheaddedstressofatreehouse.Therecommendedremedyforthisistobindthetreeupabovewith
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cablestopreventthetrunksfromspreading.Thisisajobforanarborist.Whenitcomestobranches,lookforstoutlimbsthatmeetthetrunkatanear-
perpendicularangle.Typically,themoreacutetheangle,theweakertheconnection,althoughseveralsuitabletreespeciesnaturallyhavebranchessetat45°.Deadbrancheshereandtheretypicallyaren’taproblem.Thesecan,andshould,becutoffbeforeyoustartbuilding.
Finally,lookatthecanopy.Inspringandsummertheleavesshouldbegreenandfullwithnosignificantbarespots.Needlesonevergreentreesshouldlooknormalandhealthy.
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WatchYourWasteWoodWhenyou’rebuildingthetreehouseanddrillingholesforanchorscrews,payattentiontothewoodchipspulledoutbythebit:granulated,dustymaterialindicatesrotinsidethetreeandshouldbeinvestigatedfurther.Lookforcleanspiralsandtoughflakesorchips.
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IsItBigEnough?Well,thatdependsonhowbigahouseyouwant.Thetruthis,intheend,you’llhavetobethejudgeofwhatyourtreecansafelysupport.Herearesomegeneralguidelinesforassessingtreesize,assumingthetreeismatureandhealthyandthetreehouseisamoderatelysized(100squarefeetorso),one-storyaffair:
•Asingletreethatwillbethesolesupportforthehouseshouldmeasureatleastfivefeetincircumferenceatitsbase.
•Mainsupportinglimbs(whereeachlimbsupportsonecornerofthehouse’splatform)shouldbeatleast6"indiameter(19"circumference).
•Thebiggerthetree,thelessitwillmoveinthewind,makingitamorestablesupportforatreehouse.
•Differenttypesandshapesoftreeshavedifferentstrengthcharacteristics—aprofessional’sassessmentofyourtreecanhelpyouplanaccordingly.
Buildinginagroupoftreesisagoodwaytoprovideadequatesupportforatreehouse,butitcomeswiththeaddedchallengeofdealingwithmultipleforcesanddirectionalmovement.
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LocationOtherimportantconsiderationsforsitingyourtreehousearewherethetreesitsonyourpropertyandwhatsitsaroundthetree.Thewronglocationcanimmediatelyruleoutatreeasagoodhost.
Let’sstartwiththeneighbors.Ifthetreeistooclosetoyourneighbor’spropertyline,thusmakingyourtreehousealltoovisible,theymightcomplaintotheauthorities.Soonthere’saguyonyourdoorstepwithoneofthoseofficial-lookingmetalclipboardboxesfullofcitationpapersandotherthingsyouhatetoseeyournameon.Ofcourse,yourneighborsmightnotcarewhatyoudo,butit’sbesttotalkwiththemnowratherthanlater.Also,buildingtooclosetoyourpropertylinemayinvolvetheauthoritiessimplybecauseyou’rebreakingsetbacklawsofthelocalzoningcode(seepage29).
Treeslocatedonasteephillsidemaybetoostressedalreadytohandletheaddedweightandwindresistanceofatreehouse.Likewise,treesatwater’sedgearelikelytobeunstableandmaybefightingaconstantbattlewitherosion.
Treehousesinplainviewofroads,paths,orotherpublicbywaysarebeggingfortroublebecausepeoplearefascinatedbytreehouses.Motoristsdrivingbymightbedistracted,andkidsandteenagerswalkingbymaybetemptedtoexplore(ortrash)thehouse.
Otherhazardstolookfor:nearbypowerlinesorutilitypoles,roofsorchimneysthatcomeclosetothetreehousesite,andfencesandotherpotentiallydangerousobstaclesinthe“fallline”underneaththetreehouse.Anyparentknowshowcreativelykidscourtdanger.Trynottomakeittooeasyforthem.
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WhattoLookFor
Avoidtreesnearroadsandbusypathways.Cars,kids,andpetsdon’talwaysmixwell.
Treestendtogrow.Takeintoconsiderationtheproximityofutilitylines.
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Treesclosetowaterarevulnerabletoerosionandwillrequireconstantadultsupervision.Considertreesthathaveafencebetweenchildrenandwater.
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BehaviorHowyourtreeactswhenthewindblowswillbecomeacriticalfactorinmanyofyourdesigndecisions.That’swhy,atthisselectionstage,it’swisetoruleoutanytreethatmovestoomuch.Youshouldnevertrytoweatherastormfrominsideatreehouse.However,thehouseitselfhasnochoicebuttostayput.
Gettoknowthetree.Ifthere’sawildbranchthatlikestoswinglikeascytheinthewind,you’llhavetoplanaroundit,restrainitinahealthymanner,or(ifnecessary)chopitoff.Theproblemofhighwindsisonlycompoundedwhenyoubuildinmultipletreeswhereindependentmovementofindividualtreescanexertsomenastyopposingforcesonyourlittledreamhouse.Treemovementisabasicrealityoftreehouseconstruction,andthereareeffectivemethodsfordealingwithit.Themoreyouknowaboutthetree,thebetteryoucandesignyourhousetogetalongwithitshostinallconditions.
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TreeschoolAsatreehousebuilder,it’simportanttounderstandtheinnerworkingsofyourbenevolenthost.Thisnotonlybuildsrespectforsomeofnature’soldestlivingthings,itwillalsohelpyoudecidethebestandhealthiestwaystobuildinthetree—wheretoplacescrews,supportcables,posts,etc.Andyes,theremaybeaquiz.
TREEANATOMYAlleyestotheillustrationatright.Nowthen,atreetrunkandbrancheshavefourmainlayers.Theinnermostlayeristheheartwood,madeofdeadcellsthatformahard,strongcorethathelpssupportthetree.Next,thesapwoodislivingfibroustissuethatcarriessap(waterandnutrients)fromtherootstotheleaves.Surroundingthesapwoodisathinlayerofgrowingtissuecalledthecambium.Ithelpsdevelopnewwoodandtheinnerbarklayer.Finally,thebarkistheouterlayerofdeadcellsthatprotectstheinnerlayers.Underneaththefamiliarroughlayerofbark(calledcork)isasoftinnerbark—thephloem—whichcarriesfoodfromtheleavestotherestofthetree.
Asyoucansee,thetree’smainfoodsupplychannelslieclosetothesurface.That’swhyyoumustminimizeanydamagetotheouterlayers.Removingthebarkexposesthetreetoinfection,whilecuttingintothephloemlayerstopstheverticalflowoffood.Oneoftheworstthingsyoucandotoatreeistocutaringaroundthetrunkorabranch,orevenbindittightlywithropeorcable.Thisstopsallcirculationtotherestofthetree.
HOWATREEGROWSAtreegrowstallerthroughtheendsofthetrunkandbranches.Thatmeansthatbiglowerlimbs—thekindthataregoodsupportsforhouses—stayatthesameelevation.Trunksandbranchesalsogrowindiameter,thankstothecambium.Howmuchgrowthdependsonthetree,butasageneralrule,alwaysleavea1to2"gaparoundtreepartswhenencirclingthemwithframinganddecking.
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GroomingtheWinnerOnceyou’veselectedthebestcandidate,it’stimetogetitprettiedupforthebigevent.Aroutinepruningisagoodidea,butdon’tstarthackingoffhealthylimbstomakeroomforabackyardMcMansion(seeProperPruning,below).Getridofdeadbranchesinthetreeandclearthegroundunderneath.Ifyou’dlikeasoftgroundcoverbeneath(arecommendedkid-safetymeasure),covertheareawithseveralinchesofwoodchips,preferablyfromthesamespeciesoftree.Don’tcovertheareawithsoil.
Later,whenyouhaveabetterideaofthesizeofyourtreehouse,makesurethestructurewon’tbeblockingtheroots’sourceofrainwater.Ifitwill,findouthowmuchandhowoftenyou’llneedtowaterthetreetocompensate.
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ProperPruningThebesttoolforpruningisatelephone.Useittocallanarboristandhavethemassessthetreeandmaketheappropriatecuts.Ifyoudodecidetogoitalone,becareful,andfollowthesebasicrules:
1.Nevercutawaymorethan1/3ofthetree’sbranches.2.Startwithashallowundercutseveralinchesawayfromthebranchbarkcollar—thebulgewherethebranchmeetsthetrunk.Theundercutensuresthebarkdoesn’tpeeloffasthebranchdrops.
3.Completethecutfromthetoptoremovethebulkofthebranch.4.Makeafinalcutflushwiththeoutsideofthebranchbarkcollar.Donotcutintothecollar.
5.Leavethewoundtohealitself.Don’tpaintitoraddanykindofsealantorpreservative.
Startbyundercuttingfrombeneaththelimbwithyourbowsaworchainsaw.
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Finishthecutfromabove—thiskeepsthebarkfromtearingwhenthelimbbreaksloose.
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Trimthestubfromthelimbsoit’sflushwiththebranchcollar.
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ChoosingaTreeSpeciesGOODTREESDECIDUOUS(BROADLEAF)TREES Characteristics NativeArea AverageHeightOak Strong,durable,low
branchesBlackOak:California,easternUS 30-80ft.
WhiteOak:easternUS 50-90ft. LiveOak:California,Texas,southernUS 40-50ft. NorthernRed:centralandeasternUSinto
Canada60-80ft.
Maple SugarMapleispreferredoverRed,butbotharegoodhosts
SugarMaple:northeasternUS,northintoCanada
60-80ft.
RedMaple:easternhalfofUS,northintoCanada
50-70ft.
Beech Smoothbark,horizontalbranches
EasternUS,southeasternCanada 60-80ft.
Apple Low,stoutbranches MostofUS,southernCanada 20-30ft.Ash Strong,straighttrunk;
shouldbecheckedforgoodhealth
EasternhalfofUS,southeasternCanada 60-80ft.
EVERGREEN(NEEDLELEAF)TREES Characteristics NativeArea AverageHeightDouglasFir
Long-living;large,maturetrunkshavefewlowbranches
Pacificcoast,USandCanadianRockyMountains
180-250ft.
Pine Fast-growing;branchesoftennumerousbutsmallandflexible
PonderosaPine:westernhalfofUS,BritishColumbia
100-180ft.
EasternWhitePine:northeastern,GreatLakes,andAppalachianregionsofUS
75-100ft.
SugarPine:California,Oregon,westernNevada
175-200ft.
Spruce Canbepronetoinfestation;shallowroots
BlackSpruce:Alaska,Canada,northeasternUS
30-40ft.
EngelmannSpruce:PacificNorthwest,RockyMountainstates
100-120ft.
Hemlock Immaturetreesmayhavelittletrunkexposure
GreatLakesandAppalachianregionsofUS,southeasternCanada
60-75ft.
NOT-SO-GOODTREES
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DECIDUOUSTREES DRAWBACKSCottonwood Soft,spongywoodBirch Shortlifespan,weakbranchesPoplar&Aspen Shallowroots,shortlifespanBlackWalnut Branchesarebrittleandbreakeasily
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Planning&Design
Ifyoubuiltatreehouseasakidyouprobablydidn’tspendalotoftimeplanningitbeforehand.Youhadplentyofideasandknewwhatyouwanted—atrapdoor,alookoutpost,atireswing,andmaybeaparachutingplatformorhelicopterpad—youjustweren’texactlysurehoweverythingwouldcometogether.Intheend,youdecidedtofigureitoutalongthewayandgotstarted.
Ofcourse,somepeoplemightusethesameapproachtoday(goodluckonthehelicopterpad),butbeadvisedthatalittleplanningupfrontcouldsaveyourprojectfromdisaster.Remembertheguywiththemetalclipboardfromthecityoffice?Youdon’twanthimshowingupwithademolitionorderjustasyou’renailingupthelastpieceoftrim.
Thischapterwillgetyouthinkingaboutgeneraldesignfeatures,suchasthesizeandstyleofthetreehouse,whereitwillsitinthetree,andhowyou’llgetfromthegroundtothefrontdoor—ifyouwantafrontdoor.Inthissectionwecovertheall-importantconstructiondetails,likeanchoringtothetreeandbuildingtheplatform,walls,androof.Inevitablythere’splentyofgive-and-takebetweendesigndreamsandstructuralnecessity.Butthat’swhatmakestreehousebuildingsuchafunandsatisfyingchallenge.Note:Beforerefiningyourtreehouseplans,seeTreehouseSafety(page50)
forimportantsafety-relateddesignconsiderations.
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Planninganddesigningatreehouseisafun,instructiveactivitythateveryoneinthefamilycanenjoy.
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BuildingCodes&ZoningLawsIt’stimetopinchyournoseandswallowthemedicine.Thesooneryougetitoverwith,thesooneryoucangooutandplay.Bycheckingintothebuildingandzoningrulesforyourareayoucanavoidthemistakeofspendingtimeonelaborateplansonlytorunintoabrickwallofbureaucracy.
Whenitcomestobuildingcodesandtreehouses,theofficialwordisthatthereisnoofficialword.Manymunicipalities—thegoverningpowersoverbuildingandzoninglaws—considertreehousestobe“temporary”structureswhentheyfitwithincertainsizelimits,typicallyabout100to120squarefeetandnotmorethan10to12feettall.Ifyouhaveconcernsabouttherestrictivenessofthelocallaws,keepingyourtreehousewithintheirsizelimitsfortemporarystructuresisagoodprecautiontotake.
It’softenlikelythatcityofficialsconsidertreehousestoominortobeconcernedwiththem.Ontopofthat,buildingcodesforearth-boundbuildingsarebasedonmeasurable,predictablefactorsthatengineersusetocalculatethingslikestrengthrequirements.Draftingasetofstandardsforstructuresbuiltonliving,moving,andinfinitelyvariablefoundations(trees)quicklybecomesacat-herdingexerciseforengineers.Thus,fewcodesexistthatsetconstructionstandardsfortreehouses.Thismeansmoreresponsibilityisplacedonthebuilder.
Whenitcomestozoninglaws,thecityplanningofficeisconcernedlesswithatreehouse’sconstructionandmorewithitsimpactonyourproperty.Theymaystatethatyoucan’tbuildanythingwithin3feetormoreofyourpropertyline(asetbackrestriction)orthatyoucan’tbuildatreehouseinyourfrontyard(theJonesesmightnotbethetreehousetype).
Thebottomlineisthis:Yourlocalplanningofficemightrequireyoutogetabuildingpermitandpassinspectionsforyourtreehouse,ortheymightnotcarewhatyoudo,providedyoukeepthebuildingwithinspecificparameters.It’suptoyoutolearntherules.
Someoftheelementsthatmayberegulatedbyyourlocalbuildingcodeandzoninglawsinclude:
•Sizerestriction(squarefootageoffloorplan).•Heightrestriction(fromthegroundtothetopofthetreehouse).•Setback(howcloselyyoucanbuildtothepropertyline).•Railingheightandbalusterspacing.
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Althoughcitylawsareallovertheplaceregardingtreehouses,hereareafewtipsthatmighthelpyouavoidtroublewithyourtreehouse:
•Talkwithyourneighborsaboutyourtreehouseplans.Ashowofrespectanddiplomacyonyourpartislikelytopreventthemfromfilingacomplaintwiththeauthorities.Italsosmoothsthewayforlaterwhenyouhavetoborrowtoolsfortheproject.
•Becarefulwhereyouplacewindows(anddecks)inyourtreehouse.Yourneighborsmightbeatouchuncomfortableifyousuddenlyhaveacommandingviewoftheirhottuborastraightshotintotheirsecond-storywindows.
•Electricityand,especially,plumbingservicesrunningtoatreehousetelltheauthoritiesthatyouplantolivethere,whichmeansyourhousecrossesabiglinefrom“temporarystructure”to“residence”or“dwelling”andbecomessubjecttoalltherequirementsofthestandardbuildingcode.
•Don’tbuildinafront-yardtreeoranyplacethat’seasilyviewedfromapublicroad.Thepointisnottohidefromtheauthorities,it’sthatconspicuoustreehousesattracttoomuchattentionforthecity’scomfort,andthehousemightannoyyourneighbors.
•Inadditiontokeepingthesizeofyourhouseincheck,payattentiontoanyheightrestrictionforbackyardstructures.Treehousescaneasilyexceedthese,forobviousreasons,butneverthelessmaybeheldtothesameheightlimitsasshedsandgarages.
•Evenifthelocalbuildinglawsdon’tcovertreehouses,youcanlooktotheregularbuildingcodeforguidance.Itoutlinesconstructionstandardsforthingslikerailings,floorjoistspans,andaccommodationsforlocalweatherandgeologic(earthquake)conditions.Withappropriateadaptationsforthetreehouseenvironment,manyofthestandardsestablishedforground-houseswillworkforyourperchedpalace.
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ElementsofaTreehouseTreehousescanrangeinstylefromminiatureversionsoftraditionalhousestofunkymasterpiecesoforiginalinspiration.Ofcourse,youridealtreehousemightbenothingmorethanaloftyhammockslungaboveapinedeck.Personaltasteiswhatit’sallabout.Herearesomedesignoptionstogetyouthinking.
WALLSWallsdefinethelookandshapeofahouseanddomorethananyotherelementtocreatethefeeloftheinteriorspace.Atreehousecanhavesolidwallsforprivacyandagreatersenseofenclosure,oritcanopenuptotheelementsandletthetreedefineitsboundaries.Ifyou’dlikebothoptions,consideranawning-stylewallwithahingedtopsectionthatflipsopen.
Enclosedwalls,eitherfullheightorstubwallslikethese,blockorpartiallyblockviewsintotheneighbors’yardandcreateasecretroomforkids.
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Openwallsadmitbreezesandallowunobstructedviews,plusthey’reeasierandcheapertobuildthanenclosedwalls.Ifyouchoosenottobuildwalls,buildsafetyrailingsinstead.
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Flip-uppanelsletyouopenupasectionofthewallorroofforairflowwhenyoudon’tneedtobattendownforshelter.
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Roundorcurvedwallsblendnaturallywiththeshapeofatree.
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ROOFS
Treehouseroofscantakeonalmostanyshapeandoftenexhibitacombinationofstyles.Incorporatingbranchesandtrunksintotheroofdesignmakesforinteresting,organicforms.Acommonapproachtodesigningaroofistostartwithatraditionalstylethenimproviseasneededtofityourhouse.Or,youmightdecidetoskiptheroofaltogether,preferringtheshelterofthetree’scanopyratherthanboardsandshingles.
Shedroofshaveaneasy-to-build,flatshape,makingthemagoodchoiceforalltypesoftreehouses.
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Gableroofsareconsideredthemostclassicroofstyle,withangledwallsectionsateitherend.
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Aremovableroofmadefromcanvasoraplastictarpmaybeallyouneedtoshelteratreefortorsundeck.
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Hiproofsareslopedonallsidesandaremoredifficulttoframethanshedsandgables.
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Aconicalroofisanimpressivewaytotoparoundedwall.They’rebuiltwithcloselyspacedraftersfanningoutfromtheroofpeak.
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WINDOWS&DOORS
Thebestdoorsandwindowstouseontreehousesareeitherfoundorhomemade.It’sfuntodesignawallorentrywayaroundsalvagedmaterials—maybeareclaimedship’sportholewindoworacreakyoldcellardoor.Youcouldusenew,factory-madeunits,buttheirlargesizeandpolishedappearancedon’tfitmosttreehouses.Kidsespeciallyloveplayfuldesigns,suchasDutchdoors,withswingingtopandbottomhalves,orlittlepeek-a-booopeningsthroughwhichtheycandemand,“Whogoesthere?!”
Architecturalsalvageshopsarefullofinterestingfindsforwindowsanddoors.
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Simplehomemadewindowsareeasytomakewithplasticglazingandscraplumber.
Dutchdoorsofferafunchangeofpacethatkids(andadults)findcharming.
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Asoliddoorwithapadlockorboltlatchmaybeagoodidea,ifnotnecessary,forsecuringaremotetreehouse.
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ACCESSOPTIONS
Perhapsthebestthingaboutatreehouseisallthecoolstuffthatyoucan’thaveinarealhouse,liketrapdoorsandcargonetsandfireman’spoles.AndwhoneedsafrontdoorwhenyoucanexitSWAT-styledownaclimbingrope?Okay,noteveryoneistherightagefortheninjalifestyle.Asturdyladderorevenastaircasearealsoperfectlyrespectablemodesforaccessingatreehouse.Butjusttobesafeyoumightwanttoincludeasecretescapehatchandzipline...incaseofanalienairassault.
Laddersprovidesafeandeasyaccesswhilemaintainingasenseofremoteness.
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Stairsareagood,practicaloptionformulti-useandmulti-usertreehouses.
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DECKS
Oneofthemostpopulartreehousedesignsincludesahousecoveringabout1/2to2/3ofitssupportingplatform,leavingtherestopenforasmalldeckorsittingporch.Thisisanicewaytoprovidebothopenandenclosedspacesforyourloftygetaway.Asmalldeckinfrontmakesagood,safelandingforastaircaseoraccessladder,whilealargedeckcanbetheperfectspotforhavingadrinkwithfriendsatsunset.
Withtheplatforminplace,it’seasytomakeroomforatreedeck.
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Centeringasmallhouseonaplatformmakesaninstantwraparounddeck.
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Stairsoraladderrequireatoplanding;addingafootortwoofspacetothelandingletsitdoubleasasittingarea.
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DesignConsiderationsAskanytreehousenutaboutdesignandyou’reboundtobeadvisedtoletthetreeleadtheway.Thismeansrespectingthetree’snaturalstrengthsandweaknessesandnotover-stressingitwithanunsuitableorexcessivehousedesign.Italsospeakstoaesthetics.Muchofatreehouse’sappealcomesfromitshost,andthebesthousedesignscomplementthetree’scharacterormakeuseofspecialnaturalfeatures.Designingwithinthebranches,asitwere,isalsogoodtreehousephilosophyandmakestheplanningandconstruction—nottomentiontheenjoyment—ofyourhouseasfunasitshouldbe.
So,nowthatyou’vepickedatreeandhadatalkwiththefolksatthelocalplanningoffice,it’stimetogiveyourhousesomeshape;inyourmindatleast.Asyoumullovertheheight,size,andfeaturesofyournewhome,don’tbeafraidtomakesketchesofyourideas—despitewhatwe’veallbeentold,doodlingduringworkisactuallyagoodthing.Thiswillalsohelpwiththefinalstepofthedesignprocess—makingscaleddrawings.
PLATFORMHEIGHTThefirstbigdecisiontomakeishowhightosetthetreehouse.Ifitwillbeusedbykids,keeptheplatformnomorethansixtoeightfeetabovetheground.Anyhigherisdangerous,andkidswillhavejustasmuchfunatsixfeetastheywouldat12or20feetIfyourtreehouseisdesignedmostlyforadults,youcangohigher,butbeforedecidingaskyourself:
•Willyouneedeasyaccess?Ifyou’reusingthehouseasanofficeorstudio,considerthedifficultyofhaulingupsupplies(andlunch).
•Isconstructionfeasible?Buildingatreehouseisgenerallythemostpotentiallyhazardousaspectoftreehouselife.Also,constructioncouldbeslowedconsiderablybyaveryhighplatform.
•Willneighborhoodkidsbeabletoclimbupintothehouse?Ifso,youcouldbecourtingtroublewithaloftyplacement.
Regardlessofwhereyoubuild,youmustmakesurethetreehouseplacementisgoodforthetree.Arboristsrecommendbuildingbelowthetree’scenterofgravity.Thisissomethingyou’lljusthavetogetafeelfor,basedonthetree’ssizeandbehavior.Onegeneralguidelineistobuildinthelowest1/3ofthetree’soverallheight.Ifyou’relucky,yourhosttreewillmakeiteasyforyouandhaveaperfectopencradleofstoutlimbsatjusttherightheight.Alas,it’susuallynotthatobvious.
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Anotherconsiderationispruningthetreetomakeroomforyourhouse.Whilethoughtful,therapeuticpruningisgood,andrecommendedbytreeexperts,removinglarge,healthylimbstopavethewayforeasyconstructionisreallystrayingfromthepointofbuildinginatree.Ifanobstructinglimbbecomesadeal-breakerforyourhouseplans,consultanarboristtomakesurethatremovingitwon’tharmthetree.
Itdoesn’ttakemuchelevationforkidstogetthatloftyfeelingintheirowntreehouse.
Finally,giveyourselfagood,oldfashionedvisualreference:Climbupinthetree(orontoaladder)andstandattheproposedplatformheight.Checkouttheviewandtheheadroom.Pictureyourselflounginglikethere’snotomorrow.Happy?Good.Nowyoucandecidehowtogetfromthegroundtoyourfinishedhouse.
ACCESSTohelpdeterminethemeansofaccess,lookagaintotheusersofthetreehouse.Older—thatis,mature—peopleprobablywouldpreferstairsoracomfortableladder,whilekidsusuallywantamorechallengingorfunroute(justsaynotomini-trampsandpolevaulting,however).Doyouwantaladderorstairsthatareeasytoreachfromyourregularhouse?Oroutofviewfromthehouse?
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Makesureyourplannedmeansofaccessisviableforthechosenplatformheight.Onemodeofaccesstoruleout:stepsorrungsindividuallyfastenedalongthetreetrunk.Evenwhenbuiltproperly—withthreadedscrews,notnails—thesearefraughtwithsafetyproblemsandrequireanunnecessaryamountofhardwareplacedintothetree.
Don’tusethefamiliarnailed-onstepsforaccess.Theycaneasilygivewaytothesideorpullcompletelyoutofthetreewhileyou’reclimbing.
SUN&SEASONSAswitharegularhouse,sunlightandweatherareimportantdesignconsiderations.Perhapsyou’vedreamedofwakingupwiththesummersunriseorclimbingintoyourperchtocatchthesunsetafteralongdayattheoffice.Positionyourhousecarefullytomakethemostofyourfavoriteoutdoorhours.Forkids,somefullshadeisamusttoavoidprolongedsunexposure.
Withdeciduoustrees,thechangingseasonscomewithapotentialshocker.Whenfallhitsandyourhosttreeissuddenlyabareskeleton,yourtreehousemightstickoutlikeanembarrassingtattoo.Justsomethingtokeepinmindifyou’rebuildingwhenthetree’scanopyisfull.
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Thesunmovesfromitshighpointinsummertoitslowpointinwinter.Shadowschangeaccordingly.Tryandkeepthesuninmindasyouplan.
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SIZE,SHAPE&PROPORTIONS
Thinksmall.Oratleaststartbythinkingsmall.Here’swhy:Weightisanimportantfactorforanytreehouse.Thelargerthehouse,thegreatertheweightburdenonthetree.Abighousewillalsocatchmorewind,stressingthebranchesmorethanthey’reusedtoandgenerallymakingitharderforthetreetostayupright.It’snotunheardoftohaveadisproportionatelylargetreehousecreatesuchawindsailthattheentiretreeblowsover.Ifyoufeeltheneedtogobig,findabigtreeorbuildinagroupofverystabletrees.
Intreehouses,wallheightsdon’tneedtobethestandard8feetthattheyareinregularhouses.Foradults,6-1/2feetisabetterplacetostart.Thismakesthehousecozierandmorenest-like.Thenecessaryheadroomforakids’treehousedependsontheiragesandhowlongthey’relikelytousethehouse.Generally,6feetofheadroomshouldgivethemplentyofroomtogrow.
Todeterminehowmuchfloor(platform)spaceyouneed,trythis:Clearoutacornerofaroomwheretwowallsmeetatarightangle,thengrabtwotapemeasures.Pulloutthetapesandlocktheminplaceatanydesireddimensions—forexample,setbothat6feetfora36squarefeetfloor,orsetoneat8feetandoneat10feetforan80squarefeetfloor.
Laythetapesonthefloorsotheymeetatarightangle,representingthetwoimaginedwallsofyourarea.Stepinsidetheareatogetafeelforitssize.Bringinsomechairsandotherfurnitureyoumightwantinthetreehousetoseehoweverythingfits.Don’tforgettofactorinthetree,especiallyifyou’rebuildingyourplatformaroundthetrunk.
Notthatyourtreehousehastobesquare.Infact,thisisarareopportunitytobuildoutofsquare.Whynotatriangleorrhombusorsomethingmoreamoeba-like?Therearenopointsoffforignoringtraditionaldesignprinciples,likesymmetry.Youalreadyhaveahousethatfollowstherules.Whenitcomestotreehouses,quirksandfunnyanglesaddcharacterandmakeitmorepersonal.
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Twowallsorrailingsandtwotapemeasuresmakeiteasytovisualizefloorspaceyou’llneedinyournewtreehouse.
USINGPOSTSTreehousesnobsmaybalkattheuseofsupportposts,butthisisnothingtobeashamedof.Postsofferaneffectivewaytocompensatefortreesthatcan’tsolelysupportatreehouseorforcaseswhereadesigncallsformoretreesthanyouhave.Postscanalsoservetoshoreupsupportbeamswithlongspansbetweentrees.
Keepinmindthatusingpostsplaceslimitsonthehousedesign.Namely,thehousemustbeclosetotheground.Thisisbecausethepostwillbecementedinthegroundandessentiallyimmovable,whilethetreeremainsfreetoswaywiththewind.Inmaturetrees,movementtypicallyisminimalinthelowest10to12percentofthetree’stotalheight.Therefore,ifyouusepostsasmainsupportmembers,andthetreeis60feettall,forexample,keeptheplatformwithin6to7feetoftheground.
STAYFLEXIBLEAsafinaldesigntip,keepanopenmindaboutchanges.Youmightfindyourselfinstallingthewallswhenyoudiscoverthatawindowthatwassupposedtooverlookthegardenactuallygivesyouabetterviewofthealley.Or,youmightbesurprisedbytheshadowswithinthecanopyanddecidetoaddanopeningtobringinmoresunlight.Buildingatreehouseisanorganicprocess.Bereadytoadapt.
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Sturdypostsmakestrongtreehousesupports,butarerecommendedonlyfortreehouseswithverylittlepotentialmovement.
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DrawingPlansSpendingalittletimetestingyourideasonpaperalmostalwayspaysoffwhenitcomestimetobuildatreehouse.It’saloteasiertomakechangestoafewpencillinesthanalumberframebuttedtoatree10feetintheair.
Startbytakingsomemeasurementsofthebuildingsite;thatis,thehosttrees.Measurethetrunks,mainbranches,andrelativepositionsofdistinguishingmarksandfeatures.Withthosemeasurementsandalittlefreehandsketchingofthetree,you’llbeabletomakereasonablyaccuratescaledrawingsofthetreeandtreehousefromvariousperspectives.
Drawtheplatformfirst.Gettingtheplatformrightisthemostchallengingpartofbuildingatreehouseandusuallyrequiressometrial-and-erroratthedrawingboard.Ifyoudon’twanttomakeacompletesetofplans,atleastdrawuptheplatformtotestyourideasbeforeyoustartbuilding.
Toexperimentwithideasforthewallsandroof,takeadigitalphotoofthetree.Printitoutatfull-pagesize,thenuseyourmeasurementsofdistinguishingfeaturestogetasenseofthephoto’sscale.Laytracingpaperoverthephototosketchyourideas.Takeadditionalphotosatdifferentanglestothetreetocreatethevariouselevationdrawings.
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Elevationdrawingsshowthehousefromvariousangles.Thesearehelpfulforjudgingproportionsandplanningforinterveningbranches,etc.Sketchingoverdigitalphotoprintoutsgivesyouanaccuratepictureofhowthefinishedprojectwilllookinthetree.
Afloorplanshowingthecompletedplatformhelpsyoudivideupthefloorspaceandallocateroomfordecks,landings,andotheropenareas.
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Aplanviewoftheplatformframinggivesyouabird’s-eyeperspectiveofthehosttreesandmaintreehousesupportmembers.
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Lumber&HardwareTheclassickid-builttreehouseismadewithscrapwood,often“found”ataneighborhoodconstructionsite,andrustynailsfishedoutofacoffeecan.Addsometarpaperandcarpetremnants,andyouhaveyourselfanawesomehideaway.It’sstillagreatwaytobuildatreehouse.Butifthat’swhatyouhadinmind,youprobablywouldn’tbereadingthisbook(you’dbeusingitasaroofshingle).Sowhatmaterialsshouldyouuseonyournexttreehouse?Theshortansweris:everythingrot-resistantandcorrosion-resistant.
Forlumber,themostcommonlyavailabletypesofrot-resistantwoodarepressure-treatedpine,cedar,andsometimesredwood.Allofthesecanwithstandyearsofweatherwithoutrotting.Evenifyourtreehouseiskeptdrywithasealedroof,it’sagoodideatouseoneoftheseoutdoorwoodtypesontheinteriorpartsaswell,becauseyou’reboundtogetsomemoistureinside.
Keepinmindthatthereputationsofcedarandredwoodforrot-resistancereallyapplyonlytoall-heartwoodmaterial,thehigherqualitylumbercutfromthetree’shardcenter.Common-gradesapwoodcedarandredwoodaren’tmuchmorerot-resistantthanstandarduntreatedlumber.Also,cedarandredwoodhavelowerload-bearingcapacitythanstandardSPFandtreatedlumber,sobesuretocheckspanratingsbeforeusingthemforplatformbeamsorothercriticalstructuralmembers.
Ifyouuseplywoodinyourproject,choosethematerialbasedonhowmuchitwillbeexposedtotheelements:“Exterior”plywoodissuitableforpermanentexposure,while“Exposure1”plywoodisdesignedforoutdoorsbutshouldbecoveredbyothermaterials,suchasroofing.Marineplywoodisapremiumplywoodproductdesignedforgoodlooksandoutdoorexposure.It’smadewithwaterproofglueandwon’tdelaminatewithmoisture,butthepanelsshouldbefinishedtopreventdecayanddiscolorationofthewood.
Forhardware,usehot-dippedordrop-forgedgalvanizedsteel—availableinmanytypesofbolts,screws,andconnectors.Aluminumroofingnailsarealsoacceptable.Stainlesssteelisthebestandstrongestrust-proofmaterialbutcomesinasomewhatlimitedvarietyofhardwareandcostsalotmorethangalvanizedsteel.
Foranystructuralconnectionstothetree,usescrewsandboltsinsteadofnails.Boltsshouldbeatleast1/2"indiameterandalwaysgalvanizedforcorrosionprotection(ormadeofrust-proofmaterial).Nailssimplycan’tbetrustedintrees.There’stoomuchmovement,andthelivewooddoesn’tholdnailsasconsistentlyorpredictablyasdrylumberdoes.Galvanizednailsarefine
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forframingconnectionsandgeneralconstructionofthehouseparts,althoughinmanycasesyoumightprefertousedeckscrewsorgalvanizedwoodscrews.Withthesmaller2×2and2×3framingusedintreehouses,assemblyiseasierwithscrews.
SpecialtyconnectionsandanchoringsystemsmightcallforExtraHighStrengthcableandhigh-tensilegalvanizedchain.AnotherhardwareoptionavailablethroughaspecialtysupplieristheGarnierLimb(GL)treehouseanchor,whichscrewsintothetree’strunktoserveasaheavy-dutylimbforsupportingplatforms(seepage62).
RECLAIMEDLUMBER&MATERIALSBuildingatreehouseoffersagreatopportunitytoscroungearoundrecycledlumberyardsandarchitecturalsalvageshopsformaterialslikeweatheredoldtimbersandone-of-a-kindfixtures.Ontopofbeingafunscavengerhunt,thisisalsothebestwayto“buildgreen.”Onenoteofcaution,however:Inspectoldlumbercarefullybeforeusingitforstructuralmembers.Significantcracks,excessiveknots,andevidenceofrotarecommonindicationsthatthewoodmightnotbereliableorstrongenoughforitsintendeduse.
Lumberfortreehousesmustbesuitableforoutdoorexposure.Thisincludescedar,redwood,pressure-treatedpine,andexterior-gradeormarineplywood(notshown).
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COMMONLYUSEDHARDWAREFORTREEHOUSES
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MORECOMMONLYUSEDHARDWAREFORTREEHOUSES
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TreehouseSafety
Ahouseupinatreecomeswithsomerisks.Butsodoesanelevateddeckoffofyourkitchenorajunglegyminyourbackyard.Whatmakesyoucomfortableusingthesethingsonadailybasisisyourbeliefthattheyweredesignedthoughtfullytopreventcommonhazards,combinedwithyourownregularmaintenanceofthestructurestoensuretheirsafety.Thesameappliestotreehouses,althoughtreehousespresentanadditionalsafetyconsideration:buildingofftheground.
Therefore,treehousesafetycanbedividedintotwocategories:safedesignandsafeworkingconditions.Bothareequallyimportantandperfectlymanageable,andbothshouldbefollowedregardlessofwhousesthehouse.Akids’treehousenaturallyinvolvesmoresafetyconcernsthanoneusedexclusivelybyadults.However,keepinmindthatyouneverknowwhenchildrenmightvisit,andit’stoolateoncethey’reupthere.It’slikebringingatwo-year-oldintoanon-babyproofedhome.Theadultsaresuddenlyscramblingmadlyastheydiscoverallthethingsthatareperfectlysafeforthembutpotentiallydeadlyforatoddler.
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Safetyisimportantduringallphasesofconstruction.
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SafeTreehouseDesignTheprimarysafeguardonanytreehouseisthesupportingplatform.Italonekeepsthehouseanditsoccupantsaloft.Evenifeveryotherelementisdesignedtothehigheststandards,atreehouseiscompletelyunsafeiftheplatformisn’tsound.Alaterchaptercoversplatformconstructionindetail,sofornow,justtwoquickreminders:
1.Keepplatformsforkids’treehousesat8feetabovethegroundorlower.2.Inspecttheplatformsupportmembersandtreeconnectionsregularlytomakesureeverything’singoodshape.
Withastrong,stableplatforminplace,youcanturnyourattentiontotheotherelementsofsafetyindesign.
Everything’sridingonthetreehouseplatform.Besuretokeepitingoodcondition.
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RAILINGSEverypartofatreehouseplatformthatisn’tboundbywallsmusthaveasturdyrailing.Buildingcodesaroundthecountryagreeonrailingspecifications,andthesearethebestrulestofollowfortreehouses,too.
Ingeneral,railingsmustbeatleast36"tall,withverticalbalustersnomorethan4"apart.Arailingshouldbestrongenoughtowithstandseveraladultsleaningagainstitatonce,aswellasroughhousingkids.Ontreehousesforsmallchildren,useonlystandard2×2lumberorotherrigidverticalbalusters,notropeorcablebalusters.Forkidsofallages,don’tusehorizontalbalusters.Theseworkwellforcattlefencing,butkidsaretootemptedtoclimbthem.Seepage93formorerailingspecificationsandinstructionsonbuildingrailings.
Sound,code-compliantrailingsareacriticalsafetyfeaturefortreehouseusersofallages.
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Asturdyhandleisawelcomesighttotiredclimbers.Makesureallhandlesandmountinghardwarearegalvanizedorotherwisecorrosion-protected.
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ACCESSLANDINGS
Eachtypeofaccesstoatreehouse—ladder,rope,stairs,etc.—hasitsowndesignstandardsforsafety,butallmusthavealandingpointatwhichtoarriveatordepartfromthehouse.Inmanycases,thelandingnecessitatesagapinarailingorotheropeningandthusapotentialfallhazard.Keepthisinmindwhenplanningaccesstoyourtreehouse,andconsidertheserecommendations:
•Includeasafetyrailacrossopeningsinrailings.•Leaveplentyofroomaroundaccessopenings,enoughforanyonetosafelyclimbontothetreehouseplatformandstandupwithoutbackingup.
•Considernon-slipdeckingonlandingstopreventfallsifthesurfacegetswet.•Addhandlesatthesidesofaccessopeningsandanywhereelsetofacilitateclimbingupanddown;handholdscutintothetreehousefloorworkwell,too.
•Installasafetygatetobaryoungchildrenfromareaswithaccessopenings.
WINDOWS&DOORSTheobvioussafetyhazardforwindowsanddoorsisglass.Sotheruleis:Don’tuseit,especiallyinkids’treehouses.Standardglassistooeasilybrokenduringplayorbyswayingbranchesorrocksthrownbytauntedolderbrothers.Instead,usestrongplasticsheeting.Thestrongeststuffis1/4"-thickpolycarbonateglazing.It’sratedforoutdoorpublicbuildings,likekiosksandbusstops,soitcaneasilysurvivetheabusefromyourownlittlevandals.Plasticdoesgetscratchedandsomebecomescloudyovertime,butit’seasilyreplacedandisbetterthanatriptotheemergencyroom.
Evenmoreimportantthantheglazingistheplacementofdoorsandwindows.Alldoorsandoperablewindowsmustopenoveradeck,notadroptotheground.Ifadoorisclosetoanaccesspoint,makesurethere’samplefloorspacebetweenthedoorandanyopeninginarailing,forexample.
GROUNDBELOWTHETREESinceoccasionalshortfallsarelikelytooccurwhenkidsareclimbingaroundtrees,it’sagoodideatofilltheareabeneathyourtreehousewithasoftgroundcover.Thebestmaterialforthehealthofthetreeiswoodchips.A6"-thickbedofwoodchipseffectivelycushionsafallfrom7feet,accordingtotheNationalResourceCenterforHealthandSafetyinChildCare.Also,keepthegeneralareabeneaththehousefreeofrocks,branches,andanythingelseonewouldprefernottolandon.
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Asoftbedofloosegroundcoverisrecommendedunderanykids’treehouseorareaswherekidswillbeclimbing.
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CONSTRUCTIONDETAILS
Oneofthefirstrulesofbuildingchildren’splaystructuresistocountersinkallexposedhardware,andforgoodreason.Ifyoufallandslidealongapost,youmightgetascrapeandsomesplinters,butyou’remuchbetteroffthanifyourkneecaphitsaprotrudingboltonthewaydown.Followthecountersinkruleforallkids’treehouses.
Speakingofsplinters,takethetimetosandroughedgesasyoubuildyourhouse.Yourkidsandguestswillbegladyoudid.Alsokeepaneyeoutforsharppoints,protrudingnails,andanyrustymetal.
MAINTENANCETreehousesfightaconstantbattlewithgravity.This,combinedwithoutdoorexposureandthethreatofrustandrot,makeregularinspectionsofthehouseacriticalsafetyprecaution.Inspectyourtreehouseseveraltimesthroughouttheyearforsignsofrotordamagetostructuralmembersandallsupportinghardware.Alsocheckeverythingafterbigstormsandhighwinds,asexcessivetreemovementcaneasilycausedamagetowoodstructuresorbreakanchorswithoutyouknowingit.Testsafetyrailings,handholds,andaccessequipmentmorefrequently.
Inspectthetreearoundconnectingpointsforstressfracturesanddamagetothebark.Weightedmembersandtensionedcablesandropesrubbingagainstthebarkcanbedeadlyforatreeiftheycutintothelayersjustbelowthebark.Checkopeningswherethetrunkandbranchespassthroughthetreehouse,andexpandthemasneededtoavoidstranglingthetree.Finally,removedeadordamagedbranchesthatcouldfallonthehouse.
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Neglectedsupportbeamsandconnectionsarethemostcommoncausesoftreehousedisasters.Checkthesepartsoftenforrot,corrosion,anddamage.
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TreefortKnoxLockingupmayseemunnecessaryformostbackyardhideaways,butforsometreehousesit’sasensibleprecaution.Forexample,treehouseslocatedoutofyourdailyview,especiallythosenearapublicroad,canattractalotofnegativeattention,likevandalism.Moreimportant,kidsjustcan’tresistgettingintostuff,andyoudon’twanttofacealawsuitbecauseyoumadeiteasyforthemtowaltzintoyourhouseandgethurt.Ofcourse,youhadnothingtodowithit.Buttrytellingthattoaplaintifflawyer.Thesearejustsuggestions,notlegaladvice:
•Installastrongdoorwithapadlock(3/4"plywoodbackedbyalumberframeisagoodchoice;itmaybeugly,butit’sstrong).
•Postsignagestating“NoTrespassing,”“PrivateProperty,”“Danger,”orsimilarwarnings.
•Installwindowshuttersthatlockontheinsideorcanbepadlockedfromtheoutside.
•Useplasticinsteadofglassinwindows(thepolycarbonateglazingmentionedonpage53won’tbebrokenwithrocks).
•Usearetractableorremovableladderastheonlymeansofaccess,andtakeitawaywhenyouleavethetreehouse.
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WorkingSafelyOff-the-groundworkhasitsownlonglistofsafetyguidelinesontopoftheregularsetofbasicconstructionsafetyrules.Sinceyoucanlearnaboutgeneraltoolandjobsitesafetyanywhere(pleasedoso),thefocushereisonmattersspecifictotreehousebuildingandrelatedgravity-defyingfeats.Butherearesomegoodpointstokeepinmind.
Duringconstruction,laddermanagementisanexceptionallyimportantaspectofjobsitesafety.Sincetreesgenerallydonotaffordflat,smoothareasfortheladderrungstorest,addingpaddedtipswillhelpstabilizetheladder.Andremember,afallofjustacoupleoffeetfromaladdercancauseafracturedelboworworse.
Workingoutdoorspresentschallengesnotfacedintheinterior,suchasdealingwiththeweather,workingatheights,andstayingclearofpowerlines.Bytakingafewcommon-sensesafetyprecautions,youcanperformexteriorworksafely.
Dressappropriatelyforthejobandweather.Avoidworkinginextremetemperatures,hotorcold,andneverworkoutdoorsduringastormorhighwinds.
Workwithahelperwheneverpossible—especiallywhenworkingatheights.
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Ifyoumustworkalone,tellafamilymemberorfriendsothepersoncancheckinwithyouperiodically.Ifyouownaportablephone,keepitwithyouatalltimes.
Don’tusetoolsorworkatheightsafterconsumingalcohol.Ifyou’retakingmedicine,readthelabelandfollowtherecommendationsregardingtheuseoftoolsandequipment.
Whenusingladders,extendthetopoftheladderthreefeetabovetheroofedgeforgreaterstability.Climbonandofftheladderatapointasclosetothegroundaspossible.Usecautionandkeepyourcenterofgravitylowwhenmovingfromaladderontoaroof.Keepyourhipsbetweenthesiderailswhenreachingoverthesideofaladder,andbecarefulnottoextendyourselftoofaroritcouldthrowoffyourbalance.Movetheladderasoftenasnecessarytoavoidoverreaching.Finally,don’texceedthework-loadratingforyourladder.Readandfollowtheloadlimitsandsafetyinstructionslistedonthelabel.
HARDHATAREA(HEADSUP!)Thegeneralareaunderneaththetreeshouldbeofflimitstoanyonenotactivelyworkingontheprojectathand.Someonewalkingidlyunderneathtocheckthingsoutmightnotbeengagedenoughtoreactifsomethingfalls.Hardhatsareagoodideaforanyoneworkingontheprojectandforkidsanywhereclosetothejobsite.
Tokeepanextensioncordfromdropping—andsometimestakingyourtoolwithit—wrapthecordaroundabranchtocarrythebulkoftheweight.Also,wearatoolbelttokeeptoolsandfastenerswithinreachwhilekeepingyourhandsfreetograblumberorusetools.
PULLEYSYSTEMSApulleyisoneofthefunfeaturesfoundonalotoftreehouses.They’regreatfordeliveringbasketsfulloffoodandsupplies.Duringthebuild,asimplepulleysetupwithabucketorcrateishandyforhaulinguptoolsandhardware.
Here’saneasywaytosetupasimple,lightweightpulley:
1.Usingastrongnylonormanilarope(don’tusepolypropylene,whichdoesn’tstandupundersunexposure),tieoneendtoasmallsandbagandthrowitoverastrongbranch.
2.Tieacorrosion-resistantpulleyneartheendoftherope,thentiealoopclosertotheend,usingbowlineknotsforboth(seebelow).
3.Feedasecondropethroughthepulleyandtemporarilysecurebothendssotheropewon’tslipthroughthepulley.
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4.Threadthefirstropethroughtheloopmadeinstep2,thenhaulthepulleyupsnugtothebranch.Tieofftheendyou’reholdingtosecurethepulleytothebranch.
Forheavy-dutylifting,useablockandtackle(seenextpage),whichisapulleysystemthathasoneropestrungthroughtwosetsofpulleys(blocks).Themagicofmultiple-pulleysystemsisthattheliftingpowerisincreasedby1×foreachpulley.Forexample,ablockandtacklewith6pulleysgivesyou6poundsofliftingforceforeachpoundofforceyouputontothepullingrope.Ifyouweigh150poundsandhangonthepullingend,youcouldraiseanearly900-poundloadwithoutmovingamuscle.Thedrawbackisthatyouhavetopulltherope6×fartherthanifyouwereusingasinglepulley.Forahightreehouse,you’llneedalotofrope.
Whenhaulinguploadswithablockandtackle,trytohaveasecondpersononthegroundtomanacontrollinetiedtotheload.Thishelpsstabilizetheloadandsteeritthroughbranchesandotherobstacles.Additionalcontrollikethismakesitsaferforthoseupinthetree.
Oneroperaisesandaffixesthepulleytothetree;asecondropeoperatesthepulley.
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HowtoTieaBowlineKnot
Step1:Makealoopintheropesotheworkingend(looseend)isontopofthestandingportionoftherope.
Step2:Runtheworkingendupthroughthebackoftheloop,behindandaroundthestandingrope,thendownthroughthefrontoftheloop.
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Step3:Tightentheknotbyholdingtheworkingendinplacewhilepullinguponthestandingportion.
Ablockandtacklemakesiteasytoliftheavysupportbeamsandpre-builtwalls.
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SafetyChecklist
SAFEDESIGNCHECKLIST▪Platformnomorethan8feetaboveground(forkids’treehouse).▪Strongrailings36"high,withbalustersnomorethan4"apart.▪Continuousrailingalongallopendecksandatsidesofstairs.▪Safetyrailacrossallaccessopenings.▪Nohorizontalrailingbalusters.▪Largeaccesslandingswithhandlesorhandholdsasneeded.▪Noladderrungsnailedtotree(seepage41).▪Non-slipdeckingaroundaccessopenings.▪Noglasswindowsinkids’treehouses.▪Doorsandoperablewindowsopenontoadeck,notadrop.▪Softgroundcoverbeneathkids’treehouses.▪Hardwarecountersunkinallexposedareas.▪Noroughwoodedges,sharppoints,orprotrudingnailsorscrews.▪Screwsandboltsonlyforstructuralconnectionstotree;nonails(seepage46).
▪Regularmaintenancecheckofplatformsupportmembersandtreeconnections,railings,accessequipment,andhandles.
SAFECONSTRUCTIONCHECKLIST▪Safetyropesandharnessforanyhighwork.▪Tieontosafetylineevenafterplatformiscomplete.▪Nokidsorvisitorsundertreeduringconstruction.▪Hardhatsforworkersongroundandallkids.▪Followbasicconstructionsafetyandladdersafetyrules.▪Nobeerbeforequittin’time.
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TreehouseBuildingTechniques
Buildingatreehouseismostlyanexerciseincarpentry.Butevenifyouhaveyearsofexperiencepoundingnailsandplaningdoorswithyourfeetfirmlyontheground,you’llfindthateverythingchangesonceyou’reupintheair.Thesimplesttaskstakeonnewchallengesasyoustruggletokeepthecounterforcesofworkfromknockingyoutotheground.Butintheend,whetheryou’rebuildingatreehouseoranouthouseoradoghouse,thesuccessoftheprojectcomesdowntogooddesignandsoundtechniques.We’vediscussedgooddesignalready.Nowit’stimetotakealookattreehousebuildingtechniques.
Inthischapter:▪BuildingPlatforms▪PlatformDesigns▪Framing&FinishingWalls▪FinishingInteriors
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▪Doors&Windows▪BuildingRoofs▪ModesofAccess▪Swings&Playthings
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BuildingPlatforms
It’stimetogetthishouseofftheground.Theplatformisthefirstandmostimportantpartofthebuildingprocess.Italsotendstobethemostchallenging.
Tobuildaproperplatform,you’llneedtodeterminewhattypesofanchorswillholdupbestagainstthehosttree’snaturalmovementthroughouttheyear.You’llalsodecideonsizingforsupportbeamsandfloorframing,basedonthesizeofyourhouseandhowmuchitwillweigh(don’tworry,youwon’thavetostandonascalewitheach2×4).Asbefore,thetreeshouldbeyourprimaryguide.
Thischapterwalksyouthroughsomebasicsofplatformconstruction,themaintypesofanchorsforsupportbeams,andinstallationofthefloordecking.You’llthengetaconstructionoverviewofplatformsforseveralpopulartreehouseconfigurations.Pleasekeepinmindthatallmethodsandconfigurationsshownherearemerelydrawnfromexamplesthathaveworkedonothertreehouses.Onyourowntreehouse,youalonearethearchitect,engineer,andbuilder,andit’suptoyoutodeterminewhatissuitableforyoursituation.Ifyouhaveanyconcernsaboutthestructuralviabilityofyourplatformorthehealthofyourtree,consultaqualifiedbuildingprofessionalorarborist.
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Thetreehouseplatformneedstobesolidlyconstructed,square,level,and(aboveall)securelyattachedtothetreeortrees.
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PlatformBasicsAtypicaltreehouseplatformismadeupofsupportbeamsandafloorframe.Thebeamsareanchoredtothetreeandcarrytheweightoftheentirestructure.Theframeismadeupoffloorjoiststhatrunperpendiculartothebeams.Toppedwithdecking,thefloorframebecomesthefinishedfloorofthetreehouse,ontowhichyoubuildthewallsandeverythingthereafter.Somesmallkids’treehouseshaveonlyafloorasthesupportingstructure,particularlywhenthehouseislowtothegroundandwellsupportedbybranches.
Sizingbeamsandfloorjoistsisn’tanexactscienceasitiswitharegularhouse,butstandardspantablescangiveyouanideaaboutloadlimitsforyourtreehouse.Contactyourlocalbuildingdepartmentforspantablesandmaterialsrequirementsforbeams(alsocalledgirders),floorjoists,anddeckingmaterials.What’suniquetotreehousesistheadditionalstressofthetree’smotionandpossibletwistingforcesappliedtothefloorframe.Flexibleanchorsarethebestdefenseagainsttreemotion,asyou’llseelater.Inanycase,it’sbettertoerronthesideofoversizingsupportmembers.
Thetricktobuildingasuccessfulplatformisnotjustinthestrengthandstability.Theplatformmustalsobelevel.Ifyou’veeverbeeninanoldhousewithaslopingfloor,youknowwhy.Itmesseswithyoursenseofequilibriumandgivesyouanuneasy“funhouse”feeling.Inatreehousethiscanleadtoaperceivedsenseofinstability;worse,itgivesyourfriendsandfamilysomethingtomakefunof.Onehandytechniqueforlocatinganchorpointstocreatealevelplatformistosetupamason’sstringandlinelevel.Afewmoretipsforbuildingplatforms:
•Useasingle3/4"-diametergalvanizedlagscrewtoanchorlumberdirectlytothetree.Forlightweightsupports,youcangetawaywith1/2"screws,butdon’tuseanythingsmaller.
•Ifasituationcallsformorethanonescrewinanypartofthetree,neverplacetwoscrewsinaverticallinelessthan12"apart.Tothetree,eachscrewistreatedasawound;ifthescrewsaretooclosetogether,thewoundsmightcoalesce,causingtheareatorot.
•Neverremovebarktocreateaflatsurfaceforanchoring,etc.Ifdonecarefully,it’sokaytoshavethesurfaceslightly,butalwaysleavetheprotectivelayerofbarkintact.Abettersolutionistousewoodwedgestoleveloutbracketsandotheranchors.
•Whenyou’rebuildingaplatformupinthetree,it’softenhelpfultocutbeams
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orjoistslongatfirst,allowingsomeplayasyoupiecetheframetogether.Cutofftheexcessaftertheframingiscompleted,orleavebeamendslongtouseasoutriggersforpulleys,swings,etc.
Fastenersplacedclosetogetherinaverticallinecanleadtorotinthetree,causingtheanchorstofail.
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PlatformAnchoringTechniquesAnchoringtheplatformisallaboutdealingwithtreemovement.Here’stheproblem:Ifyou’rebuildinginoraroundasectionofthetreethat’susedtomovingalotinthewindandyoutiemultiplepartsofthetree(orpartsofdifferenttrees)together,something’sgottogive.Usuallyit’syourplatform’ssupportbeamsoranchorsthatlosethebattlebybreakingorsimplyshearingoff.ThebestsolutionistorespectMotherNaturebyusinganchorsthatmakeallowancesformovement.
Treehousebuildershavecomeupwitharangeofanchoringmethodsfordifferentsituations,butmostfallintooneofthefourcategoriesshownhere.Knowingthemaintypesofanchorswillhelpyoudecidewhat’sbestforyourproject.Oftenacombinationofdifferentanchorsisthemosteffectiveapproach.
FIXEDANCHORAfixedanchoristhemostbasictype,withthesupportbeamsfirmlyanchoredtothetreewithlargelagscrews.Becausetheyallowforzerotreemovement,fixedanchorsaretypicallyusedonsingle-treehousesanchoredexclusivelytothetrunk,orperhapsusedinconjunctionwithaflexibleanchor(slidingorhanging—seebelow)attheoppositeendofthebeam.
Toinstallafixedanchor,drillaslightlyoversizedholeforalagscrewthroughthebeam,justbelowthecenterofthebeam’sdepth.Drillapilotholeintothetreethat’sslightlysmallerthanthescrew’sshank.Addonewasherontheoutsideofthebeamandoneortwolarge,thickwashersonthetreeside,andanchorthebeamtothetreewiththelagscrew.Thewashersonthetreesideofthebeamhelppreventchafingofthebeamagainstthebark.
Sizingthescrew:Usea3/4"galvanizedlagscrewthat’slongenoughtopenetrateatleast5"to6"intothetree’ssolidwood.Accountingfora2×(1-1/2-thick)beam,thewashers,andthebark,youneedatleasta9"screwforamajorbeamconnection.
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Asinglelagscrewisanadequatefixedanchorforabeam,providedthescrewisheavyenough.Multiplescrewscancausedamagetoyourtree.Threadawasherbetweenthescrewheadandthebeam,andaddatleastacouplewashersbetweenthebeamandthetreetopreventthebeamfromrubbingagainstanddamagingthebark.
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SLIDINGANCHOR
Therearetwomaintypesofslidinganchor:slot-typeandbracket-type.Theslot-typeisasimplevariationofthefixedanchor,butinsteadofdrillingaholeinthebeamforthelagscrew,youcutaslotthatallowsforafewinchesoflateralmovement.Thisanchorissuitableforrelativelysmall,lowtreehousesthatdon’twarranttheheavy-dutysupportofabracket-typeconnection.Usinga3/4"lagscrewandextra-largewashersonbothsidesofthebeam,maketheslot1"wideand3"to6"long.Leavethescrewslightlyloosetoallowalittleplayforthebeamtoslide.
Abracket-typeslidinganchorusesametalbracketorcleatmountedtothetreetosupportthebeamfrombelow.Asthetreemoves,thebeamisfreetoslidealongthetopofthesupportwithoutrubbingagainstthetree.Aproperlyengineeredandinstalledbracketmakesaverystronganchorsuitableforlargetreehouses.
Unfortunately,theydon’tselltreehousebracketsatyourlocalhardwarestore.Sohowdoyougetthem?Onewayistohavethemcustombuilttoyourspecificationsbyaqualifiedwelder.AnotheroptionistousetheGarnierLimb(seepage46),amanufacturedmetalanchorspecificallydesignedforsupportingtreehousebeams.TheGLhasathreadedscrewendthatscrewsintothetreeandasmooth“limb”endthatsupportsthebeam.
ThedevelopersoftheGLhavecomeupwithmanyvariationsbasedontheirbasicanchortoaccommodatevarioustreehouseconfigurations.YoucanseetheGLinactionandgetorderingandinstallationinformationontheirwebsite:www.treehouses.com.Accordingtothewebsite,thebasicinstallationofaGLhasaloadratingof4,000pounds.
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Aslot-typeslidinganchorallowssingle-directionalmovementbetweenthetreeortreesandtheplatformbeams.
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Abracket-typeslidinganchorallowstwo-directionalmovementwhileofferingsolidsupport.Unfortunately,you’llhavetohavethesecustom-fabricatedatalocalmetalshop.
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Aspecialtytreehouseanchoroffersthebestcombinationofstrengthandmovementallowance.TheGLanchorillustratedhereisverypopularwithprofessionaltreehousebuildersandcanbepurchasedontheInternet(seeResources,page220).
HANGINGANCHORWithahanginganchor,thebeamsareactuallysuspendedfromthetreebycablesormoveablehardware,makingitthemostflexibletypeofjoint.Thisflexibilitymakesitidealfordifficultapplications,suchaswhentreemovementissignificantorwhenthebranchortrunkconfigurationwon’teasilyaccommodateaplatform.Note:Theminimumbranchsizeforhanginganchors(attheconnectionpoint)is6"diameter,dependingonthetreeandtreehouse.
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Ahanginganchorwithcableattachestoascreweyeinthetreeandadoubled3/4"chainwrappedaroundthebeam.
Aswiththeslidinganchor,therearedifferentstylesofhangingconnections.Abasiccablesetupoffersthebestflexibility:Cuta6-footlengthofheavy-dutyrust-proofcable,thencutenoughhigh-tensilerust-proofchaintowraparoundthebeamtwice,plusafewextralinks.Drivea5/8"eyelagscrewintothetree,about4feetabovethedesiredbeamelevation.Positiontheeyescrewsoitsshaftwillbeperpendiculartothecablewhenhung.Thisensuresthattheloadwillrely
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moreonthescrew’sshearstrengththanthegripofthethreads.Hangthebeaminthetreeatthedesiredelevation,usingtemporarylines.
Threadthecablethroughtheeyescrew,usingacablethimbletoprotectthecable,thensecuretheendwiththreecableclamps.Wrapthebeamwiththechainandsecuretheendstothecable,againusingathimbleandthreeclamps.Topreventthebeamfromslippingoutoftheanchor,makesureplentyofbeamextendspastthechain,andinstallastrongmetalbracketthatlooselycapturesthechainatthebottomedgeofthebeam.
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Athroughbolthanginganchorrequiresatreelimbatleast6"indiameter.
Anothertypeofhanginganchorusesalong,5/8"eyethroughboltthatextendscompletelythroughasupportbranch.Attheotherend,anothereyeboltextendsthroughthebeamandissecuredbelow.Thetwoeyesareconnectedwithaheavy-dutyshackle,allowingsomemovementinalldirections.
Boltingthroughthebranchwon’thurtthetree,butthebranchmustbeatleast6"indiameterforthisapplication.Makesuretouseastrongwasheronthetop
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sideofthebranch,aswellasawasherorsteelbearingplatebelowthebeam.Ifyouuseabuilt-upbeam(withtwo2×boardsnailedtogether),addpairsofcarriageboltsalongbothsidesoftheeyebolttokeepthebeammemberstogetherwhentheanchorisunderstress.
Withanytypeofhanginganchor,it’simportantthatthebeamandcableorhardwaredonotrubagainstthetree.Ifyoursetupdoesn’tallowforatleast6"ofplaybetweenthebeam/hangerandthetree,fastenawoodblocktothetreetoprotectagainstchafingthatcoulddamagethebarkandunderlyinglayers.Also,neverhangasupportcableorchainbyrunningitoverabranchorwrappingitaroundabranchortrunk.Thiscankillpartorallofthetree.
KNEEBRACESKneebraceshelpsupportmanytypesofplatformsafterthemainbeamshavebeenattachedtothetree.Assuch,theymightbeconsideredsecondaryanchorsbutneverthelessarecriticaltomanyplatformdesigns.
Akneebraceessentiallyisanangledstrutthatformsastructuraltrianglewiththeplatformandthetree.Itisstrongestwhensetat45°(orascloseaspossibletothatangle).Therearenumerousdesignsofbracesfortreehouses,butallfollowthesameprincipleofthetriangle.
Forstrength,thetopendofthebraceshouldmeetthebeamorframeatleast2/3ofitstotaldistancefromthetree.Don’tworryifthebracesaren’tallthesamelength;it’smoreimportanttomaintainthe45°angle.Tojointhetopendofthebracetothecornerofaplatformframe,useadjustableframingconnectors.Toanchortotheundersideofabeamorjoist,usepairsofmetaljoiningplates,boltedtobothmemberswithcarriagebolts.
Attachingthebracetothetreeisanothermatter.Large,professionallybuilt(yes,therearepeoplewhogettodothisforaliving)treehousesoftenusecustommetalbracketstoaffixkneebracestothetree.Aneasyamateurmethodistouseanadjustableframingconnectorscrewedtothetreeandfastenedtothebracewithnails.
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Kneebracessupporttheplatform,distributingtheloadontothetrunkandoffofthelagscrewsthatattachthebeamstothetreetrunk.
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InstallingDeckingIfyou’rethinkingthatyou’vejustjumpedfromplatformbeamstodeckingandskippedthefloorframing,you’reright.Becausetheconfigurationofthefloorframingtendstofollowtheplatformdesign,you’llgetabetterpictureofthatwiththeindividualconstructionoverviewsstartingonpage66.
Mosttreehouseplatformsaredeckedusingstandarddeckingtechniques.It’salotlikedeckinga...well,adeck,orafloor,dependingonthematerialsused.Standarddeckingmaterialsinclude5/4×6deckingboards,2×6lumber,and3/4"exterior-gradeplywood.Ofthese,plywoodisthecheapestandeasiesttoinstall,butitcomeswithonedrawback:treehousefloorstendtogetwet,andthewaterhasnoplacetogoonasolidplywoodsurface.Bycontrast,deckingboardscan—andshould—begappedtoallowwaterthroughandeliminatepooling.Ifyou’rereallycommittedtocreatingadryinterioronyourhouse,youmightconsiderplywoodortongue&groovedeckingboards,whichmakeasmooth,strongfloorwithoutgaps.
Installdeckingboardswithdeckscrewsdriventhroughpilotholes(althoughyouwouldnormallynailT&Gboards).Usescrewsthatarelongenoughtopenetratethefloorframingbyatleast1-1/4".Gaptheboards1/4"apart,ormore,ifdesired.Twoscrewsateachjoistaresufficient.Installplywooddeckingwith2"deckscrews,drivenevery6"alongtheperimeterandevery8"inthefieldofthesheet.
Toallowfortreegrowth,trytoleavea2"gapbetweenthedeckingandthetree.Thismeansyou’llhavetoscribethedeckingandcutittofitaroundtreepenetrations.Toscribeaboard,setitonthefloorascloseaspossibletoitsfinalposition,thenuseacompasstotracethecontoursofthetreeontotheboard.
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Fastenthedeckingtothefloorframewithcorrosion-resistantdeckscrews.Useacompass(right)toscribedeckingboardsattreepenetrations.
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PlatformDesigns
Followingarefiveexamplesofplatformsindifferenttreeconfigurations,alongwithconstructionoverviewsforbuildingtheplatformsasshown.Hopefullytheywillhelpyougenerateideasforbuildingyourownplatform.Theseexamplesarefordemonstrationpurposesonly.Thepropersizingofsupportbeams,joists,andhardware,aswellasplatformconfiguration,mustbebasedonyourtreeandhouseproject.
Asingle-treetreehouseoftenisconstructedsothetreepenetratestheplatformmoreorlessinthemiddle.Theplatformissupportedbybeamsthatarelag-screwedtothetree.Thisplatformwillbereinforcedwithkneebraces.
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SingleTree:PlatformNestledinBranchesThisisasimpleplatformdesignsuitableforasmallkids’treehouse.Becausetheplatformissmall(about5×6feet)andhassupportfromseveralbranches,therearenosupportbeams.Instead,asturdyfloorframemadewith2x6sisanchoreddirectlytothetree.Toaccountforslightbranchmovement,twoofthefouranchorsareslot-typeslidingconnectionsandtwoarefixedanchors.Thefloordeckingis3/4"plywood.Forthistypeofplatform,thesupportbranchesshouldbeatleast6"indiameter.
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FINDINGTHEANCHORPOINTS
Usingfournailsandamason’sstring,plottheroughplatformshapeontothesupportbranches.Attachalineleveltothestring,andworkyourwayaroundthefoursides,adjustingthenailsupordownasneededtocreatealevellayout.Eachnailrepresentsananchorpoint,aswellastheapproximatecenterofthefloorframemembers.Whenyou’resatisfiedwiththelayout,removethestring,butleavethenailsinplacetohelpwithmeasuringandpositioningtheframemembers.
INSTALLINGTHERIMJOISTSUsingthenailsforreference,measuretheapproximatelengthofthefirstrimjoist.Cutthejoistlongbyabout12"toallowforsomeplaywhenpositioningthetwoperpendicularrimjoists.Markthelocationsofthetwofixedanchorpointsontotheboard,thendrillathroughholefora3/4"lagscrew,alittlebelowthecenteroftheboard’sdepth(seepage61).Repositionthejoistinthetree,thencheckitforlevel.Drilla5/8"-diameterpilotholeintothetreeatoneoftheanchorpoints.Addwasherstobothsidesofthejoist,andfastenthejoistwithalagscrew.Holdingthejoistlevel,drillapilotholeandinstallthesecondfixedanchor.Tip:Ifthejoistwon’tinstallplumbbecausethebranchisnotvertical,gluea
woodwedgebehindthejoistwithconstructionadhesive.Cutthetworimjoiststhatrunperpendiculartothefirstrimjoist.Havea
helperholdoneendwhileyoulevelandmarktheanchorpointontheotherend.Cuta1×3"to1×6"slotfortheslidinganchor,andfastenthejoisttothetreewithalagscrewandwashers(seepage62).Then,endnailthejoiststogetherwith16dgalvanizedcommonnails.Installtheopposingjoistandfastenittothefirstrimjoist.Cutthefourthrimjoisttofitandfastenitwithendnails.Cutoffthelongendsofthefirstrimjoistsothey’reflushwiththematingjoists.
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Useamason’slineandlineleveltofindatleastfourlevelanchorpointsfortheplatform.
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Anchoroneendoftherimjoist,thenlevelthejoistandanchortheotherend.Glueacustom-cutwedge(right)betweenthejoistandthetree.
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Cutthecommonjoiststofitandtacktheminplacewithdeckscrewssothetopsarelevel.Thendrivethree16dnailsateachjoint(nailshavemuchgreatershearstrengththanscrews).
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ADDINGTHECOMMONJOISTS
Markthecommonjoistlayoutontothetwolongrimjoistssotheywillrunparalleltotheshortsidesoftheframe.Spacethejoistsat16"or24"oncenter;eitherspacingisstrongenoughforasmalltreehouse.Cutthe2×6joiststofitandinstallthemwiththree16dgalvanizednailsateachend.
INSTALLINGTHEDECKINGCutthe3/4"exterior-gradeplywooddeckingtofitsoanyseamsfallonthecenterofacommonjoist.Fastenthedeckingtothejoistswith2"deckscrews.
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SingleTree:TrunkasCenterPostAtall,straighttrunkisthefoundationforthisplatformdesignthatmeasures8feetsquare.Itstartswithtwointersectingsetsof2×8beamsstackedontopofeachother.Allbeamsarefastenedtothetreewithasinglefixedanchorscrew.Theuppertwobeamsbecomefloorjoistsinthefinishedframe.Eachcorneroftheframeissupportedbyakneebrace,transferringmuchoftheloadbackdowntothetreetrunk.Thebracesarefastenedtotheframeandtreewithgalvanizedmetalframingconnectors.Thedeckingis5/4×6boards,whichsavesalittleonweightcomparedto2×6decking.Thetreeforthistypeofplatformshouldmeasureatleast5feetincircumferenceatitsbase.Note:Theplatformframeisnotsafetostandonbeforethekneebracesare
installed.
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Asingle-trunktreehousewillaccomodatemostdesignsforsmalltomediumsizetreehouses.
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HowtoBuildaSingle-treePlatform
Measuretofindlocationsofplatformandbracing,andmarkthemonthetreewithcoloredtape.
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Drillintothetreetomakepilotholesforthelagscrews.Becauseyouwillbedrivingonlyonescrewperbeam,youcanthreadthescrewthroughaguideholeinthebeamwithwashersonbothsidesofthebeam,theninsertthescrewtipintothepilotholeinthetree.
INSTALLINGTHEBEAMSCutthelower2×8beamsat96",andcuttheupper2×8beamsat93".Ifpossible,findarelativelyflat,smoothareaofthetreetrunktoinstallthebeams.Anchorthefirstlowerbeamtothetreewithalagscrew,centeringthescrewalongtheboard’slengthandonthetree’strunk.Installthesecondlowerbeamontheoppositesideofthetrunk,makingsurethetwobeamsarelevelwitheachotherandareevenontheends.Installtheupperbeamsontopofthelowerbeams,followingthesameprocedure.
ADDINGTHERIMJOISTSCuttwo2×8siderimjoistsat96"andtwoendrimjoistsat93".Theendjoistsareparalleltotheupperbeams.Fastenthesidejoistsovertheendsoftheendjoists,usingthree16dcommonnailsateachjoint.Checktheframeforsquare,thentoenailtherimjoiststobothsetsofbeams.
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Securethelowersupportbeamtothetreetrunkusingalargesocketwrench.Checkforlevelasyoutightenthebolt.
Levelthesecondlowersupportbeamoftheplatformbase,makingsureitisparallelwiththefirst.
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Useshimsasneededtohelpanybeamsstandplumbwherethetreesurfaceisnotvertical.
Makesurethebeamsarelevelwitheachotherbeforeanchoringthemtothetrunk.
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INSTALLINGTHEKNEEBRACES
Cuteach2×8kneebracetolengthsoitextendsata45°anglefromoneoftheinsidecornersoftherimjoistframetothetreetrunk;mitertheendsofthebracesat45°.Installanadjustableframingconnector(typicallyusedforrafters)ateachcorneroftheframetosecurethetopendofeachbrace.Installabrackettothetreeforthebottomendofeachbrace.Then,installthebraces.Note:Foralargeorheavytreehouse,youmightneedtousetwo2×8sora4
×6orlargertimberforeachkneebracetoensureadequatesupport.
COMPLETINGTHEFLOORFRAMECuttwo2×6commonjoiststofitbetweenthesiderimjoistsandinstallthemmidwaybetweentheupperbeamsandtheendrimjoists.Installtwoshortjoiststhatspanfromthesiderimjoiststothetrunk.Installthesemidwaybetweentheupperbeams.
DECKINGTHEPLATFORMInstallthe5/4×6deckingboardsperpendiculartothecommonjoists,keepingthedeckingflushwiththeoutsidesofthefloorframe.Gaptheboardsby1/4"andfastenthemtotherimjoists,commonjoists,andupperbeamswith2-1/2"deckscrews.
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Framingconnectorsmakeforstrongjointsatbothendsofthekneebraces.
Toenailallofthejoiststothelowerbeamswith16dgalvanizedcommonnails.
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TwoTrees:PlatformSpanningBetweenTrunksTwolargetreesspacedabout6feetto8feetapartallowforanopenplatformwithasimplestructure.Thisplatformissupportedbytwo2×10beamsattachedonbothsidesofthehosttreeswithfixedanchors.Thefloorframecantileverstothesidesofthebeamsandmustbesupportedateachcornerwitha2×6kneebraceanchoredtothesideofthetree.Thisrigiddesignissuitableformaturetrees(atleast10"indiameter)atalowheightwheremovementisslight.Asshown,theplatformdeckingismadeof2×6boards.Thinnerdeckingboardsrequiretwoadditionalcommonjoiststoreducethejoistspacingtoabout16"oncenter.Note:Theplatformframeisnotsafetostandonbeforethekneebracesare
installed.
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Two-trunktreehouseplatformsrequiremoreplanningandengineeringbutcansupportalargerstructure.
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INSTALLINGTHEBEAMS
Cutthetwo2×10beamstoextendseveralinchesbeyondthetreesatbothends.Anchoroneendofthefirstbeamusinga3/4"lagscrewandwashers.Holdthebeamperfectlylevel,thenanchortheotherendtotheothertree.Installthesecondbeamontheoppositesidesofthetrees,makingsurethebeamislevelandthatbothbeamsarelevelwitheachother.
BUILDINGTHEFLOORFRAMEYoucanbuildtheentirefloorframeontheground,theninstallitontopofthebeams.Justmakesuretheframewillfitbetweenthetreesbeforecompletingtheframe.Cutthetwo2×8endrimjoistsat72"andthetwosiderimjoistsat93".Cutthethree2×8commonjoistsat69".
Nailtheendrimjoistsovertheendsofthesiderimjoistswiththree16dcommonnailsperjointsothejoistsareflushattheirtopedges.Spacethecommonjoistsevenlybetweentheendjoists,andfastenthemtothesidejoistswith16dnails.
Centertheframeontopoftheplatformbeams.Checktheframeforsquare,thentoenailthecommonjoistsandendrimjoiststothebeams.
INSTALLINGTHEKNEEBRACESEach2×6kneebracestartsabout3"infromtheendoftheendrimjoistandextendsdowntothecenterofthetreetrunkata45°angle.Cuteachbracesoitstopendisflushwiththebottomedgeoftherimjoist(oryoucanfitthebraceintoanotchinthejoist,asshownbelow)anditsbottomendhasaplumbcutat45°.Attachthebracestotherimjoistswithpairsofgalvanizedmetaljointingplatesandcarriagebolts(seebelow).Anchorthebottomendofeachbracetothetreewitha3/4"lagscrewandwashers.
DECKINGTHEPLATFORMCutthe2×6deckingboardsat96"torunparalleltothesiderimjoists.Spacetheboards1/4"apartandfastenthemtothefloorjoistswith3"deckscrews,keepingalledgesflushtotheoutsidesofthefloorframe.
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Securethebracestothefloorframewithmetalplatesandcarriagebolts.Anchorthebracestothetreewithlagscrews(right).
Installeachbeamsoitislevelandbothbeamsarelevelwitheachother.
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Buildthe2×8joistframeontheground,thenliftitupontotheplatformbeams.
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ThreeTrees:PlatformSpanningBetweenTrunksWiththestrengthofthreelargetreesandheavy-dutybracket-typeanchors,thisplatformisreadyforalarge,one-storytreehouse.Themainsupportsarethree4×12beams,eachanchoredtoapairoftreetrunks.
Theplatformfloorframeisbuiltwith2×10joistsspaced16"oncenter.Itcantileversabout18"overthefrontbeam,creatinganicespotforadeckarea.Fordecking,thefrontthirdoftheplatformwillbelaidwith5/4×6deckinglumber,whilethereartwo-thirdswillbedeckedwith3/4"exterior-gradeplywoodintheareawherethetreehousewillsit.
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Usethethree-trunkplatformforspaceships,pirateships,andotherlarger-than-lifetreehouseideas.
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INSTALLINGTHEBRACKETS&BEAMS
Cutthe4×12beamstolengthsotheywilloverhangthemountingbracketsbyatleast12"ateachend.Workingononebeamatatime,markthepositionsforthebracketsontothetreetrunks.Note:Ifyou’reinstallingaGL(seepage62),you’llneedaspeciallysizedbitavailableforpurchaseorrentthroughtheGLsupplier.Usingthebit,drillapilotholeintothetrunksothattheGLwillbeperfectlylevelwheninstalled.DrivethethreadedendoftheGLintothepilothole,usingalargepipewrench,untiltheflangeisfirmlyseatedagainstthetree.
Installthebracketsandbeamsoneatatimetomakesureeachbeamislevelandallbeamsarelevelwithoneanother.WithaGLsystem,installaGLfloatingbracketateachanchorpoint,followingthemanufacturer’sinstructions.AlsoinstallastoppernutontheendofeachGLtopreventthebeamfromslippingofftheGL.
BUILDINGTHEFLOORFRAMECutthetwo2×10endrimjoiststolengthsotheyfitbetweenthetwofronttreeswithafewinchesofplayateachend(108"inthisexample).Cutthetwosiderimjoistsandsixcommonjoistsat117".Ontheendrimjoists,markthelayoutofthecommonjoists,using16"oncenterspacing.Assembletherimjoistframeontopofthebeams,using16dcommonnails.Measurethediagonalstomakesuretheframeissquare,theninstallthecommonjoists.
Whenthecommonjoistsaren’tsupportedbyasidebeamattherearofthefloorframe,reinforcethejoistswithjoisthangerswheretheymeettherearendrimjoist.Checktheframeagainforsquareness,thentoenailallofthejoiststothebeamswithpairsof16dgalvanizednails.
DECKINGTHEPLATFORMSnapachalklineacrossthejoiststorepresenttheoutsideedgeofthetreehouse’swallframing.Install5/4×6deckingboardsperpendiculartothecommonjoists,startingatthefrontedgeofthefloorframeandstoppingatthechalkline.Fastentheboardswith2-1/2"deckscrews.Install3/4"exterior-gradeplywoodfromtheedgeofthedeckingtotherearedgeofthefloorframe,using2"deckscrews.
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Addjoisthangerstothelongest-spanningjoiststostrengthentheirconnectiontotherearrimjoist.
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TwoTrees&TwoSupportPostsFourtreesformingaperfectsquareorrectanglemakesforaneasytreehousefoundation,butthisjustdoesn’toccurofteninnature.Theplatformdesignshownhereprovidesthesamelayoutwithonlytwotrees,andittakescareoftreemovementwithafloorframethatslidesalongthetopofasupportbeam.Thetwopostsare4×4or6×6timbersburiedintheground,setinconcreteandreinforcedlaterallywithkneebraces.Thepostsand2×10floorframecreateaveryrigidstructure,whilethe4×12beamhasthefreedomtomoveontwoslidinganchors(seepage62).Using2×6boardsfordeckinghelpstostrengthenthefloorframe.Foramoderatelysizedtreehouse,thetreesforthisplatformdesignshouldbeatleast10"indiameter.
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Asupport-postdesignmakesbuildingatreehousepossibleonsiteswithextremeslopesorwheretreesarescarceordonotlendthemselvestoyourpreferredconfiguration.
SETTINGTHEPOSTSMarkthepostlocationsontheground,allowingforseveralinchesofplaybetweenthetrees.Digthepostholes14"indiameteranddowntoadepthbelowthefrostline(checkwiththelocalbuildingdepartmentforpost-depthrequirementsinyourarea),plus4".Filltheholeswith4"ofcompactiblegravelfordrainage.
Cutthepostslong,thentrimthemtotheplatformheightaftertheframeisinstalled.Setthepostsintheirholesandsecurethemwithtemporarycrossbracingsotheyareperfectlyplumbandaresquaretotheplatformlayout.Filltheholeswithconcreteandletitdry.
INSTALLINGTHESUPPORTBEAMCutthe4×12beamtoextendatleast12"beyondthetreeanchorpointsateach
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end.Transferleveloverfromthepostswithamason’sstringandlinelevel,andmarkthepostheightontothetrees;measuredown9-1/4"(orthedepthofthefloorframe,ifnot9-1/4")fromthesemarkstodeterminethetopofthesupportbeam.Installthebeamusingsupporthardwareateachend.
BUILDINGTHEFLOORFRAMECutthetwo2×10endrimjoistsat96".Cutthetwosiderimjoistsandfivecommonjoistsat117".Installthesiderimjoistsandoneendrimjoistflushwiththetopsofthepost,usingpairsof1/2"lagscrews.Fastentheotherendrimjoistovertheendsofthesidejoistswith16dcommonnails.Installthecommonjoistsusing16"oncenterspacing,fasteningthemtotheendrimjoistswithjoisthangers.
ADDINGTHEKNEEBRACESCutthefour2×6kneebracesat48",miteringtheendsat45°tofitflushtotherimjoistsandpostcorners,respectively.Fastenthebracestotheside/endrimjoistsusinggalvanizedmetaljoiningplatesandcarriagebolts.Fastenthebottomendsofthebracestotheoutsidesofthepostswithpairsof1/2"lagboltsorcarriagebolts.
DECKINGTHEPLATFORMMeasurethediagonalsofthefloorframetomakesureit’sperfectlysquare.Install2×6deckingperpendiculartothecommonjoists,using2-1/2"deckscrews.Spacetheboards1/4"apart.
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Securethepostswithcrossbracing,thenanchortheminplacewithconcrete.
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Installthecommonjoistswithjoisthangersusingthemanufacturer’srecommendedfasteners.
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Securethekneebracestotheoutsidesofthepostswith1/2"lagscrewsandmetalstraps.
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Framing&FinishingWalls
Withtheplatformdone,you’renowfreetocutloosewithyourfinecarpentryandcreativedesignskills...well,youcanusethemifyouhavethem.Ifnot,it’sok.Thepointis,treehousewallsarefunandeasytobuild,andyournewhousewillstarttotakeshapebeforeyouknowit.Andbecausemuchofwallbuildingisrelativelylightweightwork,it’salsoagoodtimetogetthekidsmoreinvolved,forthoseluckyenoughtohavesomehelpinghands.
Whenbuildingaregularhouse,carpentersframethewallsontheplatform,thentipthemintoplaceandfastenthemtothefloor.Thatcanbedifficultinatreehouse;insteadframethewallsonadrivewayorotherflatspot.Inmostcases,youcanaddthesiding,windows,anddoors,andeventheexteriortrim,beforesendingthewholeshebangupintotheair.Assemblethecompletedwallpanelswithsomescrews,andpresto!youhaveahouse(atoplesshouse,atleast;roofsarecoveredinthenextchapter).
Beforeyougetstartedwiththewallframing,planallthestepsofthewallbuildingprocess—framing,siding,trim,andbuildingwindowsanddoors—toestablishthebestorderofthingsforyourproject.Ifyou’reusingplywoodsiding,forexample,you’lladdthesidingbeforethewindows,doors,andtrim.Othertypesofsidinggoonaftereverythingelse.Inanycase,thesequenceofinformationgivenhereshouldnotbeinterpretedasaspecificordertofollow.
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Oncethewallsofyourtreehousebegintotakeshapetheexcitementoveryourcastleinthecloudswillbuildtremendously.
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FramingWallsIntheinterestofmakingfriendswithgravity,treehousewallsaretypicallyframedwith2×2or2×3lumber,asopposedtothestandard2×4or2×6framingusedintraditionalhouses.Single-storytreehousescanusuallygetawaywith24"oncenterstudspacinginsteadofthestandard16"spacing.However,thesidingyouusemaydeterminethespacing,assomesidingrequiressupportevery16".
Howtallyoubuildthewallsisuptoyou.Standardwallheightis8feet.Treehouseshavenostandard,ofcourse,but6feetto7feetgivesmostpeopleenoughheadroomwhilemaintainingamoreintimatescaleappropriateforahideaway.Anotherconsiderationiswallshape.Oftentwoofthefourwallsfollowtheshapeoftheroof,whilethetwoadjacentwallsarelevelacrossthetop.Buildingwallshapesotherthantherectangleorsquarearediscussedlater.
BASICWALLCONSTRUCTIONAwallframehashorizontaltopandbottomplatesfastenedovertheendsofverticalstuds.Whereawindowispresent,ahorizontalsillandheaderareinstalledbetweentwostudstocreatearoughopening(doorroughopeningshaveonlyaheader,alongthetop).Ontreehouses,similarframedopeningscanbeusedtoframearoundlargetreepenetrations.
Inafour-walledstructure,twoofthewallsareknownas“through”wallsandtwoare“butt”walls.Theonlydifferenceisthatthroughwallsoverlaptheendsofthebuttwallsandaremadelongertocompensateforthethicknessofthebuttwalls.Forsimplicity,thetwothroughwallsandtwobuttwallsopposeeachothersothatbothmembersofeachtypearemadethesamelength.
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Buildstudwallsonthegroundandthenliftthemupontotheplatformonewallatatime.Throughwallsoverlapbuttwalls(right)andarefastenedtogethertoformacornerofthehouse.
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Assemblethewallframewithscrewsornails.Addshortcripplestudstocontinuethegeneralstudlayoutatwindowanddooropenings.
Tobuildawallframe,cutthetopandbottomplatestoequalthetotalwalllength(notcountingthesidingandtrim).Laytheplatestogetherontheground—ordrivewayorgaragefloor—withtheirendseven.Markthestudlayoutontotheplates,using16"or24"oncenterspacing.Markforanextrastudateachsideofwindowanddooropenings;theseareinadditionto,andshouldnotinterrupt,thegeneralstudlayout.Ifyouplantoinstallinteriorpanelingorotherfinish,addanextraendstudtoeachendofthethroughwalls.Thisgivesyousomethingtonailtowhenthewallsarefittedtogether.Extrastudsmightalsocomeinhandyfornailingexteriorsiding.
Cutthestudstoequalthetotalwallheightminus3",thecombinedthicknessoftheplates.Positiontheplatesovertheendsofthestuds,andfastenthemwithtwo3"galvanizedwoodscrewsordeckscrewsdriventhroughpilotholes.Youcanscrewthroughtheplatesintotheendsofthestuds,oranglethescrews(toenail)throughopposingsidesofthestudsandintotheplates.Youcanalsouse10dor16dgalvanizednailsinsteadofscrews.
Toframeawindowopening,measureupfromthebottomofthebottomplateandmarkthesillandheaderheightsontobothsidestuds.Note:Ifyou’reusingahomemadewindow,maketheroughopening1-1/2"widerand2-1/4"tallerthanthefinished(glazed)windowdimensions.Thisaccountsforthewindowjambsmadefrom3/4"-thicklumberandasillmadefrom2×4lumber.Ifyou’reusingarecycledwindowsash(withoutitsownframe),maketheroughopening1-1/2"widerand2-1/4"tallerthanthesash.Cutthesillandheaderandinstallthembetweenthesidestuds,makingsuretheroughopeningisperfectlysquare.Installshortcripplestudsbelowthesillandabovetheheadertocompletethegeneralstudlayout.Followthesameproceduretoframearoughopeningforadoor,makingit2-1/2"widerand1-1/4"tallerthanthefinisheddooropening(forahomemadedoor).
FRAMINGOTHERWALLSHAPESIfyou’regoingwithagableorshedroofforyourtreehouse,framethetwoendwallstofollowtheroofslope.Thisnotonlyenclosesthewallsuptotheroof,italsoestablishestherooflinesoyouhaveaneasystartingpointforframingtheroof.Houseswithhiproofshavefourstandardwalls—withhorizontaltopplates.Curvedwalls(forconicalroofs)arealsoflatacrossthetopbutareframedalittledifferentlythanstandardwalls.
Toframeanendwallforagableorshedroof,firstdeterminetheroof’sslope.
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Inbuilders’parlance,roofslope,orpitch,isexpressedinarise-runratio.Forexample,a6-in-12roofrises6"forevery12"ofhorizontalrun,equivalenttoanangleofabout26.5°.A12-in-12roofslopesat45°.Formostdo-it-yourselfers,it’seasiertodeterminetheroofslopeusingonlytheangle.Anothertricktosimplifyroofframingistolayouttheentireoutlineofthewallbysnappingchalklinesontoagaragefloorormatofplywoodsheets.Thenyoucansimplymeasuretoyourlinestofindthelengthsofthepieces.
Foragableendwall,let’ssaytheroofslopeis30°(that’salittleflatterthana7-in-12pitch).Thatmeansthetopendsofallthestuds,aswellasthetopendsofthetwotopplates,arecutat30°.Snapachalklinetorepresentthebottomofthewall,thensnaptwolinesperpendiculartothefirst,representingtheendsofthewall.Note:Thegableendwallmustbeathroughwall.Measureupfromthebottomlineandmarkthesidelinesatthetotalwallheight;thisisequaltothetotalheightoftheside(non-sloping)walls.
Gableendwalllayoutwith30°roofpitch.
Nowmakeacenterlinerunningupthroughthemiddleofthewalllayout.Cut
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oneendofeachofthetwotopplatesat30°,leavingtheotherendslongfornow.Settheangledendsoftheplatestogethersotheymeetonthecenterlineandeachplatealsointersectsoneofthetop-of-wallmarksonasideline.Seeyourwallnow?Youcantracealongtheundersidesofthetopplates,orjustleavetheminplace,thenmeasureupfromthebottomlinetofindthelengthsofallthestuds.Remembertotakeoff1-1/2"fromthestudlengthstoaccountforthebottomplate.Cutthetopplatestolengthsotheirbottomendswillbeflushwiththeoutsidefacesofthesidewalls.
Tolayoutanendwallforashedroof—let’ssayat15°—snapabottomchalklineandtwoperpendicularsidelines,aswiththegableendwall.Theendwallsforashedroofmustalsobethroughwalls.Markthewallheightsontothesidelines.Snapachalklinebetweenthosetwomarks,andyourlayoutisdone.Allofthetopendsofthestudsarecutat15°.
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Shedendwalllayoutwith15°roofpitch.
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FRAMINGCURVEDWALLS
Structurally,curvedwallsareessentiallythesameasstandardwalls.Theyhavetopandbottomplates,studs,andsimilarroughopeningsforwindowsanddoors.Themaindifference,andthetricktomakingthecurve,isinusingadoublelayerof3/4"plywoodforeachoftheplates.Also,thestudspacingissetaccordingtotheexteriorsidingmaterial.Use2×3orlargerstudsforframingcurvedwalls.
Layoutcurvedwallplatesusingatrammel:athin,flatboardwithapivotnailnearoneendandtwoholesforapencilneartheotherend.Spacethepencilholestomatchthewidth(depth)ofthewall’sstuds.Thedistancesbetweenthepencilholesandthepivotnaildeterminetheinnerandouterradiiofthecurve.Marktheplateoutlinesontofullorpartialsheetsof3/4"exterior-gradeplywood,andmakethecutswithajigsaw(orcircularsawforgentlecurves).Youcanpiecetogethertheplatesasneededtominimizewaste.
Spacethestudsaccordingtothesidingyou’lluse:Forplywood,spacethestuds2"forevery12"ofoutsideradiusonthecurve—a36"radiusgetsstudsevery6".Forothertypesofsiding,suchasvertical1×4T&Gboards,layoutthestudsat24"oncenter,theninstall2×nailershorizontallybetweenthestudsalongthemidpointofthewall.Thenailersmustbecutwiththesameradiusasthewallplates.
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Install2×nailersbetweenstudsforverticalsiding.Staggerthenailersupanddowntoallowroomforfastening.
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Useatrammeltomarkthecuttinglinesforcurvedwallplates,pivotingthetrammelfromacenterline.
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Siding&TrimMoststandardtypesofhousesidingaresuitableforatreehouse.Youmightwanttomatchthesidingonyourregularhouseorgowithsomethingunconventional,suchascorrugatedmetal.Justtrytokeeptheoverallweightincheck.Forthatreason,heavymateriallikehardboardsidingisn’tagreatchoice.Threeofthemostpopulartypesofsidingareshownhere.Note:Alwaysmakesureyourwallframeissquarebeforeinstallingsidingor
trim.
PLYWOODSIDINGAvailableinavarietyofstyles,in4×8-footpanelsandthicknessesfrom3/8"to5/8",plywoodsidingisquickandeasytoinstall,anditaddsalotofstrengthtowalls.Itissomewhatheavythough,soyoushouldusethethinnestmaterialthat’sappropriate.Forregularhouses,3/8"plywoodsidingcanbeusedoverstudsspaced16"oncenter,while1/2"orthickerisrecommendedfor24"studspacing.Onatreehouse,3/8"isusuallyfineforeitherspacing,butit’suptoyou.Trimgoesonaftertheplywoodsiding.
Installplywoodsidingvertically,sothepanelsmeetoverthecentersofthewallstuds.Manytypesofsidinghavespecialedgesthatoverlapatthejointstokeepoutwater;jointheseaccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions.Ifthepaneledgesaresquare,leavea1/8"gapatthejoint,andfillthegapswithcaulkafterinstallation.Fastenthepanelstothewallframingwithgalvanizedboxorsidingnails.Nailevery6"alongtheperimeterandevery12"inthefieldofthepanel.
Onthroughwalls,wrapthewallendswithanarrowstripofsiding.Onbuttwalls,stopthesidingflushwiththeendsofthewalls.
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Usethesquarefactoryedgesofplywoodsidingpanelstosquare-upthewallframe.Fastenalongoneedgeofthepanel,thenaligntheframingandfastenalongtheadjacentpaneledge.
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CommonSidingJointsThreecommonsidingjointsincludeshiplapedges(firstphoto)orothermilledprofilesthatallowoverlappingofpanels;buttjoints(middlephoto),wheresquare-edgedpanelsaregappedatabout1/8"andsealedwithcaulk;andboardandbattenjoints(lastphoto),whichgeta1×2stripcoveringthepanelgaps(battensarenailedtowallstuds).
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HORIZONTAL(LAP)SIDING
Classiccedarlapsidingisanattractive,lightweightmaterial.Ittakesmoretimetoinstallthanplywood,andit’smoreexpensive,butitdefinitelyaddscharmtoatreehouse.Mostlapsidingrequiresstudsspaced16"oncenter.It’seasiesttoinstallafterthetrim.Note:Foralargeormulti-storytreehouse,youmightneedabaselayerofplywoodsheathingunderneathlapsiding,togivethewallsufficientshearstrength;consultyourlocalbuildingdepartmentoraqualifiedbuildingprofessional.
Toinstalllapsiding,cuttheboardsoneatatimesotheyfitsnuglybetweentheverticaltrimboards.Beginwithastarterstripatthebottomofthewall,thenworkyourwayup,overlappingeachprecedingcoursebyatleast1".Nailintoeachstudwithgalvanizedboxnailsorsidingnails,drivingthenailsjustabovethetopedgeofthesidingboardbelow.Youmayhavetoaddstudsneartheendsofwallstoprovideanailingsurfacefortheendsofthesiding.
Forwallsover8feettall,youcanspecialorder9-ft.or10-ft.panels,oruseZ-flashingtojoinupperandlowerpanels.Theflashingkeepswaterfromgettinginthroughthejoint.
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Installlapsidingafterthetrimisup,overlappingeachcourseby1"ormore.Nailcementboardsidingatthetop.Woodsidingisnailedjustabovetheoverlap.
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CEDARSHINGLESIDING
Anotherrelativelypriceybutveryattractiveandlightweightoptioniscedarshinglesiding.Taperedcedarshinglesaretypicallysoldin16"and24"lengthsinrandomwidths.Theyareinstalledoverspaced,or“skip,”sheathing:1×2or1×3boardsfastenedhorizontallyacrossthewallframing.Likelapsiding,eachcourseofcedarshinglesoverlapstheonebelowit.Theamountofshingleleftexposediscalledtheexposure.Thespacingoftheskipsheathingshouldbeequaltotheexposure.Note:Foralargeormulti-storytreehouse,youmightneedabaselayerof
plywoodsheathingunderneathcedarshinglesiding,togivethewallsufficientshearstrength;consultyourlocalbuildingdepartmentoraqualifiedbuildingprofessional.
Toinstallshinglesiding,firstaddtheskipsheathingorplywood,thenthetrim,thenthesiding.Installtheskipsheathingoverthewallframingwithscrews,spacingitaccordingtotheshingleexposure,whichisdeterminedbythelengthofyourshingles:For16"shingles,usea6"to7"exposure;for24"shingles,an8"to11"exposure.
Afterthetrimisup,begintheshinglingwithadoublestartercoursealongthebottomofthewall.Fastentheshingleswith5dsidingnailsor1-1/4"narrowcrownstaplesdrivenwithapneumaticstaplegun.Overlaptheverticaljointsbetweenshinglesbyatleast1-1/4".Installtheremainingcourses,overlappingeachcoursebelowtocreateauniformexposure.Fastentheshingles1"to2"abovetheexposurelineofthesucceedingcourse.
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Butttogetheradjacentshingles,makingsurethatverticaljointsareoffsetrow-to-rowandthatamountofrevealisproportionaltotheshinglewidth.
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Rooftrimmayincludefascia—1×lumberthatcoversthesidesofgable-endraftersand,ifdesired,therafterendsalongtheeaves.A1×2alongthetopofthefasciaaddsdefinitionandanicetransitionlineundertheroofdeck.
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INSTALLINGEXTERIORTRIM
Onaregularhouse,standardexteriortrimistypicallyusedtodressupwallcorners,doorandwindowopenings,androofedges.Addingsimpletrimelementsisaneasywaytocreateafinishedlookonatreehouse.Ontheotherhand,ifyouwantyourhousetolookrusticorauthenticallykid-built,youmayuselittleornotrim.Themostcommonmaterialforexteriortrimis1×cedar,availablewitheitherroughorsmoothoutsidefaces,butanyrot-resistantorwell-paintedstandardlumberwilldo.Installtrimboardswithgalvanizedboxnailsorsidingnails.
Use1×4boardsforoutsidewallcorners,overlappingtheboardswithabuttjoint.Inside(notinterior)cornersoftengetasingle2×2boardthatfitsagainstbothadjacentwalls.
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Frameddoorsandwindowscanbetrimmedwith1×2,1×3,or1×4lumbertocoverthejointbetweenthejambandthewallframingorsiding.Itusuallylooksbesttoleavea1/4"orsoofthejambexposed,creatingareveal.
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Horizontalsidingjointsandsimilarseamscanbecoveredwithtrimsotheylooklikedesignelementsinsteadofconstructionjoints.
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Cuttrimboardstofitaroundtheendsofthroughwalls.Buttwallswillappeartobetrimmedwhenthewallsareassembled.
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InstallingWallsOnanordinaryconstructionjob,awallraisingisthedaywhenafewextrahelpersshowuptotipupthewallsandassemblethehouseframe.Withatreehouse,wallraisinggetsawholenewmeaning.It’stimetocalloutyourburliestneighbors,orgetalittlemechanicalhelpfromablockandtackle.
Togetreadyforthewallraising,snapchalklinesontheplatformfloortorepresenttheinsideedgesofthewalls’bottomplates.Withanaccuratechalklinelayout,youwon’thavetoworryaboutsquaringthewallsasyouassemblethem.
Forasmalltreehousewithlightwalls,lifttwoadjacentwallsupontotheplatform,setthemontheirchalklines,andfastenthemtogetherthroughtheendstudswith3"deckscrews.Installtheremainingwallsoneatatime,thenanchorallofthewallstotheplatformfloorframingwith3-1/2"screws.Driveafewlongerscrewsatfloorjoistlocations.
Forlargerhouseswithheavywalls,layonewallflatontheplatform,thentipitupandsetitonthechalkline.Anchorthewall’sbottomplatetotheplatformwith3-1/2"screwsor16dgalvanizedcommonnails,thenaddtemporary2×4bracingtokeepthewallupright.Hoistuptheadjacentwallandfastenthebottomplate,thenfastenthetwowallstogetherthroughtheendstuds.Repeatfortheremainingtwowalls.
Whenallofthewallsareup,cutoutthebottomplateatthebottomofthedooropening,usingahandsaw.
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Jointhewallswithscrewsdriventhroughtheendstuds.
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Topplatescanbeusedtotiewallstogetheratthecorners,aswellasprovideaload-bearingsurfaceforroofstructures.
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BuildingRailingsArailingisprimarilyasafetydevice.Alltoooften,amateurandevenprofessionaldesigners(especiallyprofessionaldesigners)seerailingsasanopportunitytogetcreative.Theresultisanunsuitablerailing,whichisessentiallyuseless.Buildastrong,solidrailingwithcloselyspacedbalustersandyouwon’thavetoworryaboutwhousesthetreehouse,whetherit’ssmallchildrenortipsyadults.Thatmeansnoropes,nocables,andnotwigs.Okay.Lectureover.
Agoodtreehouserailingemploysthebasicconstructiondetailsofastandarddeckrailing.Manytreehouserailingsareevensimpler,eliminatingfeatureslikethebroadhorizontalcaprailcommonlyfoundonhousedecks.Theimportantthingistoadheretothebasicdesignrequirements:
•Topsofrailingsmustbeatleast36"abovetheplatformsurface.•Balusters(verticalspindles)maybespacednomorethan4"apart.•Horizontalbalustersareunsafeforchildren,wholiketoclimbthem.•Railingposts(4×4orlargerlumber)maybespacednomorethan6feetapartandmustbeanchoredtotheplatformframe,notthedecking.
•Topandbottomrailsmustbesecurelyscrewedtotheposts,ifpossibleontheinsidefacesofrailingposts.
•Balustersshouldbefastenedwithscrews;ifnailsareused,balustersmustbeontheinsideofhorizontalrails.
•Allopeningsinrailings—foraccesstothetreehouseplatform—musthaveasafetyrailacrossthetop.
Tobuildasimplerailing,cut4×4supportpoststoextendfromthebottomedge(orclosetotheedge)oftheplatform’sfloorjoiststo36"abovethedeckingsurface.Anchorthepostsontheoutsideofthejoistswithpairsof1/2"carriageboltswithwashers.Installpostsattheendsofrailingruns,every6feetinbetween,andatbothsidesofaccessopeningsandstairways.
Cut2×4or2×6horizontalrailstospanbetweenthetopendsoftheposts.Fastentherailstotheinsidefacesofthepostswithpairsof3"deckscrews.Continuetherailthroughaccessopeningstocreateasafetybarrier.Markthebalusterlayoutontotheoutsidefacesoftherails,spacingthebalustersnomorethan4"apart.Cut2×2balusterstoextendfromthetopoftheraildowntothefloorframing,overlappingthejoistsbyatleast4".Fastenthebalusterstotherailsandjoistswithpairsof2-1/2"deckscrewsdrivenintopilotholesateach
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end.
Thebestrailingisasimpleone.Simpledesignsyieldfunctionalrailings,providingafairlevelofsafetyforthoseinthetreehouseandpeaceofmindforthoseontheground.
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FinishingInteriors
Inkeepingwiththerulethattreehousesshouldbeallaboutpersonalchoice,theinteriorfinishespresentoneofthebestopportunitiestocreateyourownspace—it’samazinghowalittlebitofpanelingandtrimcandollupthejoint.Atthisstage,youwanttoaskyourselfhowtheinteriorshouldfeel:shoulditbetidyandrefinedlikeahouseinterior(oratleastasummercabin),orshoulditremainrusticandoutdoorsy,somethinglikeafirelookouttower?
Thinkingabouthowyouwillusethetreehousewillguideyourchoiceoffinishesaswellasanyfunctionalfeatures,likeshelvesandtables.Ontheotherhand,youmightdecidetoskiptheinteriorfinishaltogether,stringupahammock,andgetrightdowntobusinessonanidealtreehousepastime:napping.
VerticalT&Gboardsrequireblockingfornailinginto.Install2×lumberblocksbetweenthestudsevery2or3ft.ineachstudbay.Forwainscoting,installblockingsothatthetopedgeofthewainscotboardsiscenteredontheblocks.
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Wall&CeilingPanelingAlmostanywoodpanelingcanworkforinteriortreehousewallsandceilings,includingT&Gboards,sheetpaneling,plywood,andevenknottypineplanks.Keepinmindthatmanypanelingmaterialsaren’tintendedforoutdoorexposure,soifyourinteriorisn’tprettywelldriedin(protectedfromrain),bepreparedforsomeseriousweathering.Nobigdeal;afterall,itisatreehouse.
A1×3or1×2chairrailquicklyhidesthetransitionbetweenawainscotandtheupper-wallpaneling.Ifyourdoor/windowtrim(page112)isontopofthepaneling,installthechairrailafterthetrimisup.
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TONGUE-AND-GROOVEPANELING
T&Gpanelingisagoodchoicefortreehousesbecauseit’sprettyforgivingwithtemperatureandmoisturechanges—itwon’tshowgapswhentheboardsshrinkwithdryweather—anditstrikesanicebalancewithafinishedyetrusticlook.It’salsoeasytoinstalloverthetypicallyless-than-perfectsurfacesofatreehousestructure,allowingyoutocustom-cutsmallpiecestofitoddspaces,asopposedtohavingtotrimlargepanels,aswithsheetpaneling.
YoucaninstallT&Gpanelinginafewdifferentways:runningtheboardshorizontallyorverticallyovertheentirewallorcreatingawainscoteffectbyrunningthemverticallyoverthefirst32"orsofromthefloor,thenrunningthemhorizontallyuptotheceiling.Thetransitionbetweenthewainscotandupperpanelingtypicallyiscoveredwithabandoftrimormoldingknownasachairrail.T&Gpanelingisequallyappropriateforceilings,andyoucannailitdirectlyovertheraftersforahighlyfinishedlook.
BlindnailT&Gboardstothewallframingorroofraftersbynailingthroughthebaseofthetongueatanangle.TheT&Gjointsholdthebottomedgesoftheboardsinplaceandhidethenailsalongthetongue.Onlythefirstandlastboardsinarunneednailsthroughtheirfaces.
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SHEETPANELING
Sheetpanelinginstallsquicklyandischeaperthanboardmaterials.Themostpopulartype,beadedpaneling,mimicsthelookoftraditionalT&Gbeadboard.It’scommonlyavailablein4×8-footsheets,sometimesinexteriorgradesforoutdoororhighhumidityareas—thebestoptionforatreehouse.
Ifyoursensibilitiestendtowardthemodern,youcanachieveasleekerlookwithsmoothmarineplywood,ahigh-gradeplywoodmadewithwaterproofglue.Sandthepanelssothey’resmoothtothetouch,andapplyaclearfinishofexteriorpolyurethaneorfurnitureoil,ifdesired.Installthesheetswithadhesiveandnails(aswithbeadboard),usetrimheadscrewssetjustbelowthesurface,oruseexposedscrewswithfinishwashers.
Installbeadboardpanelingwithconstructionadhesiveandfinishnailsorpanelingnails,runningthepanelsverticallyfromfloortoceiling.Thejointsbetweenpanelsshouldfalloverthecenterofastud.
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Trimalongtheedgeswherethepanelsmeetthefloor(orceiling)witha1×3oranysimplemoldingthatmatchesthewoodpaneling.Usequarter-roundtohideanygapsbetweenpanelsatinsidewallcorners.
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Markpanelingforcustomcutsbyscribingaroundtheobstructionwithacompass.Holdthepanelorboardinplaceandusethecompasstomarkthepieceasitfollowsthecontoursoftheobstruction.Remembertoleavea2"gaparoundanytreepartstoallowforgrowth.
CeilingslookgoodwithafinishofT&Gboardsor,forarustictouch,rough-sawncedarplywood.Runboardsandpanelsperpendiculartotheroofrafters.Installthemusingthesametechniquesusedforwallpaneling,startingatthewallsandworkinguptothepeakoftheroof.
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Shelves&TablesEventhesimplestenclosedtreehousecanbemadeatouchmorehomeyandcertainlymorefunctionalwithafewshelvesandsomekindofuseabletablesurface.Butwithspaceatsuchapremium,standardbracketedshelvesareprobablyoverkill,andasecondhandcoffeeorbistrotablemightoverwhelmtheroom.Acustombuilt-inisabetterwaytogoonbothcounts.Youcansizeandconfigureanyofthefollowingdesignstosuityourneeds.
2×4SHELVESThesecheapandsimpleshelvesaredesignedforunfinishedinteriorwalls,wheretheymakegooduseoftheemptyspacesbetweenwallstuds.Theycanalsomakegooduseofscraplumberleftoverfromthetreehousebuild.2×4shelvesaresuitablefor2×2and2×3wallframing.For2×4studs,use2x6sfortheshelves.
Tomakeeachshelf,cutastraight2×4tolengthsoitspansacrossatleasttwoneighboringwallstuds,plusthedesiredamountofoverhangoneachend.Foracustomlook,youcanangletheendsoftheshelfbacktowardtherearedgewitha10°(orso)miter.Sincetheshelvesprotrudefromthewallplanejustabit,it’sagoodideatoround-offthefrontcornerswitha3/4"orlargerradius.Marktheradiiwithacompassoranythinground,suchasasmalljuiceglass.Cuttheroundedcornerswithajigsaw.
Markalevellineacrossthefrontedgesofthestudsateachshelflocation.Tomarkthenotchesforthestuds,positioneachshelfboardonitslevellinessotheboardoverhangstheoutermoststudsequallyonbothends,thentransferbothedgesofeachstudtotheboard.Measurethestuddepthandtransferthattotheboardtomarkthedepthofeachnotch.Cutoutthenotcheswithajigsaw.
Toinstalltheshelves,placeeachonitslevellinesanddrillasinglepilotholethroughtheshelfandeachstud,withtheholecenteredontheedgeoftheshelfandthestud.Countersinkthepilotholesforafinishedlook.Mounttheshelveswith2-1/2"deckscrews.
Tools&Materials2×4lumber2×6lumberJigsawLevel
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2-1/2"deckscrews3"deckscrewsPowerdrill&bitsEyeandearprotectionWorkgloves
2×4shelvesareeasytomakeandprovidesomemuch-neededwallspaceforfavoritetoysandgames.
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HowtoBuild2×4Shelves
Drawlevellinesacrossthestudtorepresentthetopfaceofeachshelf.Forwallstudsspaced24"oncenter,agoodshelflengthisabout33-1/2",whichyieldsa4"overhangontheends.
Markthestudnotcheswiththeshelfboardheldinplace.Ifastudistwisted,holdasquareorstraightedgealongthestudfacetotransfertheangletotheshelfboard,oryoucansimplyoversizethenotch.
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Fastentheshelvestothestudswithscrews.Use2-1/2"screwsfor2×4shelveswith2×3studs.Use3"screwsfor2×4shelveswith2×2studsor2×6shelveswith2×4studs.
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CORNERSHELF
Aroundedcornershelfmakesanicestreamlinednookforafinishedwall.And,aswiththe2×4shelves,youcanprobablymakeafewcornershelveswithleftovermaterial.Startwithapieceof3/4"plywood(1/2"willwork,too,ifthat’swhatyouhave),preferablywithtwoadjacentfactoryedgesmakinga90°corner.
Drawtheradiusedfrontedgeoftheshelf,usingahomemadecompass(liketheoneshownonpage101(Flip-upTable).Agoodsizeforthistypeofshelfisabout10"to16",measuringfromtherearcornertothefrontedge.Shelveslargerthan16"orsomightrequireasupportbracketorakneebracecenteredunderneaththeshelf.Cutthecurvedfrontedgeoftheshelfwithajigsaw,thensmooththecurveandremoveanyroughorflatspots,asneeded,withcoarsesandpaperandasandingblock.
Usealeveltomarktheshelflocationontothetwoadjacentwalls.Theselineswillrepresentthetopedgesofthe1×2cleats,sothefinishedshelfsurfacewillbe3/4"abovethelines.Cuttwostraightpiecesof1×2tolengthabout2"shorterthantheshelfdepthtoserveasthesupportcleats.Ifdesired,roundofforotherwiseshapethefrontendsofthecleatsfordecorativeeffect.Tip:Ifthecleatswillgoallthewayintothewallcorner(nocornertrim),cutoneofthem3/4"shorterthantheother.Installthelongercleatfirst,thenbutttheshorteroneagainstthefaceofthelonger.Thisway,bothcleatswillextendthesamedistancerelativetotheshelf.
Fastenthecleatstothewallwithdeckscrewsorexteriordrywallscrewsdriventhroughcountersunkpilotholes.Thetopedgesofthecleatsshouldbeonthelevellines.Settheshelfontothecleatstotestthefitagainstthewalls.Ifthewallsareoutofsquare,scribeacuttinglinealongonesideedgeoftheshelf,thentrimtheedgewithajigsaworcircularsaw.Alsonotchtheshelfcornertofitaroundanycornertrim,asneeded.Sandtheshelfsmoothandapplyafinish,ifdesired.Installtheshelfwith5dor6dfinishnailsdriventhroughtheshelfandintothecleats.
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Atrustylightorotherhandytreehouseitemwillfitperfectlyonthecornershelf.
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HowtoBuildaCornerShelf
Installthecleatsbyscrewingintothewallstudswheneverpossible.Otherwise,goinginto5/8"orthickerboardpanelingor3/8"orthickerplywoodpanelingshouldbeplentystrongenoughforasmallshelf.
Eliminateunsightlygappingbyscribingalongoneofthewallswithacarpenter’spencilwhileholdingtheshelftighttotheadjacentwall.Trimalongthescribedcutline,thencheckthefit.
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Nailtheshelftothecleatswithfinishnails:Drillpilotholes(whichhavetobeslightlyangled,beingsoclosetothewall),drivethenails,andsetthenailheadsjustbelowthesurfacewithanailset.
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FLIP-UPTABLE
Space-savingflip-uptablesarepopularfeaturesonboats,motorhomes,andcampingtrailers,whichmeansthey’reperfectforaddingfunctioninatreehouse.Thistabledesignincludesa48"-wide(24"-deep)semicirculartableandaswing-outbrace.Bothpiecescanbecutfroma4×4-foothalf-sheetof3/4"plywood,andbotharemountedwithpianohinges.Whenswungdownandoutoftheway,thetableprojectsonlyabout1-1/2"fromthewall.
Tocutthesemicircularshapeofthetabletop,markthecenteralongoneedgeoftheplywood.Usinganoldwoodenyardstickoraflatstripofwood,makeasmallnotchinoneendwithautilityknife.Makeamarkonthecenterofthestick,24"fromthebottomofthenotch.Drillasmallfinishnailatthemark.Pinthesticktotheplywood,justinsidethemarkededge,atthecenterpoint.Usingapencilseatedinthenotch,rotatethesticktomarkthesemicircularcuttingline.Cutoutthetabletopwithajigsaw,andsandtheedgessmoothwithcoarsesandpaperandasandingblock.
Layoutandcuttheswing-outbracefromoneoftheremainingfactorycornersoftheplywoodsheet,followingthediagramonpage101.Usetheyardstickcompasstodrawthe10-1/2"radiusandastandardcompasstodrawthe2"radiusateachendofthebrace.Cutalongthemarkedlineswithajigsaw,andsandtheedgessmooth.Applyawoodfinishorpaintthetabletopandbrace,ifdesired.Cutastraight1×3or1×4tolengthat48-1/2".Thiswillbecometheledgertowhichthetabletophingeismounted.Next,cuttwolengthsofpianohinge(a.k.a.continuoushinge),oneat48"andoneat20",usingahacksaw.Mountthepianohingetothebottomfaceofthetabletop,usingtheprovidedscrews.Theplywoodedgeshouldcomeuptothehingebarrelbutnotoverlapit.Fastentheotherleafofthehingetotheledgersotheleaf’sedgeisflushwiththeledger’sbottomedge.Theledgershouldextendslightlybeyondthehingeateachend.
Markalevellineonthewall(orwallstuds)torepresentthetopedgeoftheledger,basedonthedesiredtabletopheight.Withahelper,mounttheledgertothewallwith2-1/2"deckscrewsdrivenintothewallstuds.Installthe20"lengthofpianohingetoonesidefaceoftheswing-outbrace,flushwiththebackedgeofthebrace.Markthecenteroftheledger,alongitsbottomedge.Drawaplumblinedownthewallatthemark.Mountthebrace’sotherhingeleaftothewallsothebraceplywoodiscenteredontheplumbline.Thetopedgeofthebraceshouldjustcleartheledgerabove.
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Aflip-uptableisjustthethingwhenspaceisatapremiumandimportantplans,puzzles,orpopcornneedsaplacetosit.
Testthetabletopandbraceoperation.Cuta3"-longblockfromascrapof2×4material.Useacircularsawand/orachiseltocutashallowchanneldownthecenteroftheblock,settingthedepthsothatthetabletopsitslevelwhentheblockisplacedbetweenthetabletopandtheswing-outbrace.Fine-tunethefit,asneeded,thenfastentheblocktotheundersideofthetabletopwith2"screws.
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MakeaTrammelDrawtheroundedfrontedgeofthetabletopwithahomemadecompass(alsocalledatrammel).Usingoneoftheplywood’sfactoryedgesasthestraightrearedgeofthetopsavesyoufromhavingtomakethiscut(whichmustbeperfectlystraight).
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Mounttheswing-outbracetothewallsoit’scenteredunderthetabletop.Thebarrelofthetabletophingeshouldbeontheinsideofthehingewheninstalled(inset).
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Theswing-outbracehassymmetricalcurvescutintoitsfrontedgeandusestheplywood’sfactoryedgesforitstopandrearfinishededges.
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Whenthetabletopisup,thebraceiscapturedinsidetheblock’schanneltokeepthebraceinposition.Fine-tunethechanneldepthsothetabletopsitslevelbeforeinstallingtheblock.
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Flip-downTable&BunkSmalllivingspacesoftennecessitatemultifunctionalfurniture.Thissimpleprojectsinglehandedlycoversthemostessentialneedsoftreehousedwellers:eating,sleeping,andlounging.It’salsoahandygeneralworksurfaceforthingslikeconductingscientificexperiments,writingmemoirs,andmappingoutplansforprecisionwaterballoonairstrikes.Intheupperposition,thetableunitsticksoutonlyabout5-1/2"fromthewall.Andthetablesurfacequicklyconvertstoabedorloungeperchwiththeadditionofafoampad,whichstoresinsidethecavityofthetable’sframe.
Constructthetableframewith2×4lumber,makingthewidth(depth)atleast24"andthelengthsoitwillaccommodatethetallestsleeper.Cuttwo2×4siderailstomatchthefinishedlength,andcuttwoendstothefinishedwidthminus3".Fitthesiderailsovertheendsandfastenthepieceswith3"deckscrews.
Cutthetabletopfrom3/4"plywoodtomatchtheouterdimensionsofthe2×4frame.Forasmoothtablesurface,useACorACXplywood.Bothhaveonesmoothface,whileACXismadewithwater-resistantglueforoutdoorapplications.ACXiscommonlysoldastongue-and-groovesubflooring;youcanusethisifyoucutoffthetongueorgroove,asapplicable.Ifyou’reusingacircularsaw,cutfromtheCface(theuglyside)ofthepanelsoanysplinteringoccursonwhatwillbethebottomsurface.Fastentheplywoodtoptotheframewith2"deckscrews,usingthepanel’sedgestosquareuptheframeasyougo.
Cutanother2×4equaltothetablelength(orlonger,asneededtomeetwallstuds);thisisaledgerformountingthehinges.Installthree3"(orlarger)doorhingesontothetopedgeoftheledgerandthetopfaceofthetabletop.Usetheprovidedscrewsiftheyseemsuitable,orsubstitutewithlonger,heavy-shankwoodscrewsformorestrength.Popoutthehingepinstoseparatethehinges,thenmounttheledgertothewallstudswith3"deckscrews,makingsureit’slevel.
Tools&Materials2×4lumber3"deckscrews3/4"plywoodCircularsaw2"deckscrews
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Powerdrill&bitsHingeandpinsBoltsandnutsChainFoampaddingEyeandearprotectionWorkgloves
Enjoyanafternoonsnoozeontheflip-downbunk,thenstorethepadunderneathandusethetabletohavefunallnight.
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HowtoBuildaFlip-downTable&Bunk
Screwtheplywoodtabletoppaneltotheframewiththesmoothfaceup.Drillingslightlycountersunkpilotholeshelpspreventdeformingorsplinteringoftheplywoodforasmoothersurface.
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Installtheledgeratthedesiredheightforthetabletop.Standardtableheightis29"to30".Ifyougolower,makesurethere’senoughlegroomunderthetableframe.
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Supportthetabletopwithastrongsteelchainboltedtothetableframeandhookedontoscrewhooksdrivenintothestuds.Positionthehookssothetableislevelinthedownpositionandbothchainsareequallytaut.
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Sizethefoampadsoitfitssnuglyintotheframecavityandwon’tfalloutofitshandystoragespace.
Securealengthofchaintoeachendofthetable,usingathroughboltandnut.Attachthetabletotheledgerbyassemblingthehinges.Propupthetablesoitsitslevel,thenpullupeachchainandinstallaheavy-dutyscrewhookintoastudorsolidblockingsothechainistautandformsabouta45°anglewiththetabletopandwall.
Holdthetableintheuppositionbyhookingthechainlinksascloseaspossibletothetabletop.Measuretheinteriordimensionsofthetableframeandcutapieceofthick(upto3-1/2")foampaddingtofitsnuglyintotheframecavity.Coverthepaddingwithdurablefabric,ifdesired.
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Doors&Windows
Doorsandwindowsfortreehousescanrangefromholescutinthewalltostandardprehungunitscompletewithweatherstrippingandmatchingtrim.Somewhereinthemiddleliethemostpopularoptions:customhomemadeunitsandsalvagepieces,bothofwhicharegreatforaddingalittleextracharacterandusuallyavailableatjusttherightprice(preferablyfree).Doorsandespeciallywindowsareabigpartofwhatmakesatreehousefunforkids,somakinghomemadepiecesisaperfecttimetogetthekids’creativeinputandhavesomefunwithunconventionaldesigns.
Treehousesoffertheopportunitytoletyourimaginationrunwild,eveninelementslikedoorsandwindows.
Butbeforeyougettothefunparts,here’saquickrefreshercourseondoorandwindowsafety:
•Plasticglazingismuchsaferthanglassandisrecommendedforalltreehouse
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glazing.PolycarbonateismoreresistanttoUVdamagethanacrylic(Plexiglas)butmoreexpensive.
•Anyglassusedshouldbetemperedorlaminated.Stainedglassorsalvagedwindowswithverysmallpanesmightpresentanacceptablerisk,andthereforeanexceptiontothisrule,butyoucanimprovesafetyherewithsafetyfilmoraprotectivepanelofclearplasticglazing.
•Windowsthatopenshouldn’tbelargeenoughtoclimbthroughunlessthey’relocatedoverasuitabledeckorplatformarea.Kidsareguaranteedtohangoutofopenwindows(andlet’sfaceit,youngpeoplearen’tverysmartaboutphysicsandimportantthingslikegravity).
•Doorsmusthaveampleplatformareaoneitherside.It’susuallysafestfordoorstoopenintothetreehouse,butsomelayoutsdictateotherwise.
Nowthatthesafetylessonisover,youcanlearnthebasicsofbuildingafewdifferentstylesofhomemadewindowsanddoorsthatyoucaneasilycustomizewithabitofcreativityandthepracticalhelpofagoodjigsaw.
Thenaturallightthatwindowsprovidecanalsoembellishinteriordesignchoices,likethesesimplebuilt-inshelves,country-stylechairs,andlogstool.
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BuildingaWindowItallstartswithasimplesquareframe.Cuta2×4silltoequalthespanofthe
window’sroughopening,plus2×thewidthoftheexteriortrim.Theextralengthisusedtocreate“horns”thatmatewiththebottomendsofthetrimontheoutsideofthewall.Cuta15°slopeintothetopfaceofthesill,leavingaflatportionequaltothethicknessofthewallframing.Theangledcutshouldrunthefulllengthofthesill.(Ifyouwanttogetfancy,createadripedgeunderneaththesillwithan1/8"-deepsawcut.)Notchoutthehornssothesillfitssnuglyinsidethewindowopening,andfastenthesilltotheroughopeningsillwithgalvanizedfinishnails.Option:Youcanusea2×6tocreateanextendedledgeinsidethewindow.Forthejambs,rip1×lumbertomatchthewallthickness.Ifyourframingis2
×2,youcanusefull-widthpiecesof1×2forthejambs.Cutthetopjambtospanthetopoftheroughopening,andfastenittotheframingwithfinishnails.Cutandinstallthesidejambsbetweenthesillandtopjamb.
Wraptheinsideofthewindowframewith1/2"quarter-roundmolding,toactasastopfortheglazing.Miterthemoldingatthecorners,andnailitinplacesoitsoutsideedgeisflushwiththeoutsideofthewindowframe.Cut1/4"polycarbonateglazingtofittheframedopeningandsetitagainstthestopswithabeadofclearsiliconecaulk.Addaninnerframeofquarter-roundstops,sealedwithcaulkagainsttheglazingandnailedtothejambsandsill.
Ifdesired,addmuntinbars(seepage107)madefrom1/2"stripsofwood.Jointhebarsatthewindow’scenterwithahalf-lapjoint(madewithopposingnotchesofequalsize),andcopetheendstomatchthequarter-roundwindowstops.
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SashRehashToturnanoldwindowsashintoanoperablewindow,buildthesameframeusedforafixedwindow,stoppingaftercompletingthesillandjambs.Mountthewindowsashtothesidejambwithhingessothewindowopensandclosesfreely.Then,addaframeofquarter-roundstopssnuggedupagainsttheinsideofthewindow.Installahook-and-eyelatchorbarrelbolttosecurethewindowwhenclosed.
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Anatomyofahomemadewindow.
Addtrimtocovertheedgesofwindowanddoorjambs.Createarevealbyleavingathinstripofjambexposed.
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Muntinbarsaddanicetraditionaltouchtoglazedwindows.Jointhepieceswithhalf-lapjointscutwithahandsawandchisel.
Salvagedwindowsandframesareperfectfortreehouses,andareeasilyincorporatedintoexistingdesignplans.
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HomemadeWindow
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WindowCutoutsAnotherformoffixedwindowisasimplecutoutmaderightintotheexteriorwallsiding.Youcanglazethesewithaplasticpanelattachedtotheinteriorofthesidingandaddtrimtoeitherside,oryoucanleavethemopentothebreezes.Becausetherearenoframesorhingestoworryabout,youcanmakewindowcutoutshighlydecorativeorintricate,dependingonyourjigsawskillsandthesidingmaterial.Plywoodsidingistheeasiesttoworkwith,andyoucanmakethecutoutinanyareabetweenframingmembers.Boardsidingusuallyneedsframingaroundtheedgesoftheopeningtosupportthecutendsoftheboards.
Cutoutthesidinginthewindowshape,usingajigsaw.Tip:Ifframinggetsinthewayofthesaw,transfertheoutlinetotheexteriorside(withtheaidofsmalllocatorholes)whereyoucancompletethecut.
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Useplywoodfortrimaroundcircularandotheroddlyshapedwindows.Youcancutaroundtrimringwithajigsaworwitharouterandtrammel,asdescribedonpage141(ButtonSwing).
Tomakeawindowcutout,drawtheshapeoftheopeningontotheinteriorfaceofthesiding(soyouwon’taccidentallyoverlapontotheframing).Addblockingasneededtosupportboardsiding.Drillastarterholeinsidethemarkedcutout,thenmakethecutwithajigsaw.Topreventsplinteringalongthecutedges,useanultra-fine-toothwoodblade(around20teethperinch)or“scroll”blade.Thesecutslowerbutmuchcleanerthanstandardblades.
Sandthecutedgestosmoothoutroughnessandpreventsplinters.Ifdesired,cutapieceofacrylicorpolycarbonatesheeting(seephoto,below)tocovertheopeningandfastenittotheinsideofthesidingwithshortscrewsdriventhroughoversizedpilotholes(maketheholesintheplasticalittlebiggerthanthescrewssothesheetcanexpandandcontractwithoutcracking).Sealthefrontoftheplastictothesidingwithafinebeadofclearexteriorcaulk.Addtrim,ifdesired.
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HowtoMakeWindowCutouts
Framearoundopeningsforboardsiding,usingscrapwall-studmaterial.Blockingbelowtheopeningcanserveasasmallwindowsill.
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Cutoutscanbeanythingyouwant.Ifyou’reartisticallychallenged(likemostofus),searchonlineforaprintablepatternthatyoucancutoutandtracearoundtomarktheoutlineontothewall.
Tip:Cutplasticsheetingwithajigsawanda10tpi(orfiner)blade.Topreventcracking,laythesheetontorigidfoaminsulationboardforsupportandcutthroughthefoamandplasticatthesametime.
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Shutters&Pop-upWindowsThesepop-upwindowsandshuttersworklikelittledoorsandessentiallyfollowthesamedesign,apartfromhowtheyarehung.Thewindowsaremountedhorizontallyonhingesandopenupward,andtheshuttersarehungverticallyandopenouttotheside.Botharegoodforopeningupatreehousetocoolairflowandforbatteningdownthehatchesforcampoutsandrainstorms.
Thebestmaterialsforthesewindowsandshuttersisexteriorplywoodandtongue-and-groovesiding.Youcanalsousestandardboardlumber(1×4,1×6,etc.),butthiscangetabitheavyandmightshowgapsbetweentheboards.Thesizeandshapeareuptoyourimagination.Justmakesurethehingescanbeinstalledinastraightlineandthattheyadequatelysupporttheweightofthewindoworshutter.
OneinterestingshapethatworkswellforbothsingleanddoubleshuttersistheGothicarch.Tomakeasetofdoubleshutters(andmatchingtrim)withplywood,startbylayingoutthedoorsontoapanelof3/4"or5/8"exterior-gradeplywood,usingoneofthepanel’sfactoryedgesasthebottomedgeofthedoors.Youwillcutoutbothdoorsasasinglepiece,thencutdownthecentertocreatetwomatchingdoors.Besuretoleaveafewinchesofmaterialatbothsidesofthedoorlayout,fromwhichyouwillcutthetrim.
TolayoutaGothicarch,startwiththreeparallelverticallines:alongcenterlineandtwoflankinglinesthatrepresenttheoutsideedgesoftheshutterdoors.Drawahorizontallinebetweenthetwosidesattheheightwherethearchwillbegin;thisislineA-B,asshownthephotobelow.Setupahomemadecompass(yardstick-style;seepage101)tomatchthelengthoflineA.PlacethepivotpointofthecompassatpointAanddrawanarchfromBtoC.PlacethepivotpointatBanddrawanarchfromAtoC.
Layoutthearchedtrimbeforecuttingoutthedoorpiece:ExtendlineA-B2-1/2"oneachend,stoppingatpointsDandE.SetthecompasstothedistancebetweenAandE,anddrawanarchbetweenEandF,pivotingonpointA.MovethepivottopointB,anddrawarchD-F.DrawstraightlinesdownfrompointsDandEtocompletethelayout.Thematerialremovedduringcuttingwillcreatethenecessarygapsbetweenthedoorsandthetrim.
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Drawthelayoutforthedoorsandarchedtrim,usingahomemadecompasstocreatethearchs.Thecutfortheoutsidesofthedoorsalsocreatestheinsideprofileofthearchedtrim.
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Installtheplywoodtrimwithexteriorscrewsorsidingnails,exposing1/2"ofsidingaroundthedooropeningonallsides.
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Mountthedoorstothesidesofthearchedtrimwiththeprovidedexterior-gradescrews.Makesurethegappingbetweenthedoorsandtrimisevenandconsistent(left).Aboltorlatchontheinsidekeepsthe
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shuttersclosed(right).
Cutoutthedoorpiecewithajigsaw,cuttingtotheoutsideofyourlines.Then,cutoutthetrim.Cutthedoorsdownthecenterline,usingacircularsaworjigsawandastraightedgeguidetoensureastraightcut.Makethiscutdirectlydownthemiddleofthecenterlinetoremovethesameamountofmaterialfrombothdoors.Finally,cutarectangularpieceofbasetrimtothesamewidthasthearchedtrim.Thebasecanbeflushwiththeoutsidesofthearchedtrim,oritcanextendalittlebeyond,asdesired.
Makethewallcutoutfortheshutterstomatchtheshapeofthedoorsasasingleunit,butmakingit1"narrowerandshorter.Thiscreatesa1/2"lipthatthedoorswillcloseagainst.Installthearchedtrimontheoutsidefaceofthewallsothetrimiscenteredoverthewallcutout.Addthebasetrim.Hangtheshutterdoorswithstrap-stylehinges(thekindwithahammeredorantiquelookenhancestheGothicstyling),mountingthehingestotheoutsidefacesofthedoorsandarchedtrim.Addaflathook-and-eyeorslide-bardoorlatchtotheinsidefacesofthedoorssotheshutterslocksecurelywhenclosed.
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Pop-upWindows
Installpop-upwindowsjustlikeshutters:Cuttheopening1"narrowerandshorterthanthewindowpanel,add1×boardtrim,andhangthewindowpanelwithhinges.Apivotingpropstickholdsthewindowopen,andaverticalbarrelboltlatchsecuresitwhenclosed.
Door&WindowTrim.Doorsandwindowsneedtrimtocoverthejointsoranygappingbetweenthejambsofthedoororwindowframeandthesurroundingwallsurface.Forthisreason,alittletrimisagoodideaevenforsimple,rusticstructures.Withouttrim,doorsandwindowstendtolooklikeajobthatwasneverfinished.
Ifyou’repanelingtheinteriorwallsofyourtreehouse,trimhidesanygapsbetweenthewallfinishandthedoorandwindowframes.Gapsherearenormal,becausethere’snosenseintakingthetimetofitthepanelingperfectlytothejambsifyou’recoveringthejointswithtrim.
Any1×boardlumber(1×2,1×3,1×4,etc.)isfinefortreehousetrim.YoucanalsoripdownanyT&Gorotherboardpanelingtomakeyourowntrimmaterial.Asageneralrule,itlooksbestifallofthedoorsandwindowshavethe
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sametrimmaterialanddecorativedetailing—afewoftheclassicjointoptionsareshownhere.Installtrimwithfinishnailsdrivenintothewallframing,anduseanailsettodrivethenailheadsslightlybelowthesurfaceofthewoodforafinishedlook.
Miteredtrimcornersaremadewitheachpiececutat45°,creatingtheclassicpictureframeeffect.Onwindowswithextendedsills(stools;seephotobelow),onlythetoptwocornersaremitered.Holdthetrimbackfromthejambs’edgestocreatea1/8"-wide(orasdesired)reveal.
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Buttedcornerstendtolookalittlemorerusticthanmiteredjoints—andthey’reeasiertomake.Youcancutthepiecessothey’reallflushontheoutsideorhavethetoppieceoverhangthesides,withorwithoutaslightbevelontheends.
Awindowsilltraditionallyhashornsthatextendbeyondthejambsonbothsides,creatinganaturalstoppingpointforthesidepiecesofthewindowtrim,ifyourtrimstrategyincludessidecasing.Thesillshouldslopeawayfromthetreehouseslightlytopromoterunoffofwater.
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FunDoorsNottosuggestthataDutchdoorisn’tfun...it’sjustthatadoordoesn’thavetoberectangular.Infact,adoorcanbealmostanyshapeaslongasagoodportionofthehingesideisstraightandvertical—thisisrequiredforthehingestoworkproperlyandensurethatthedoorisbalanced(soitwon’tflyopenorslamshutonitsown).
Here’safunarcheddoordesignthatusestheexteriortrimforastop,whichsavesyoufromhavingtobuildanarcheddoorframe.Boththedoorandthesingle,continuoustrimpiecearecutfromasheetofplywood.Thelittleinset(Minnie-Me)doorisaplayfuloptionthat’sbuiltjustlikethefull-sizeunit.IfyourtasteleanstowardGothicarchesmorethanround,followthebasiclayoutprocedurefortheGothicarchshutters(page110)tolayoutthedoorandtrimarches.
Tobuildtherounded-archdoor,layoutthedoorandtrimpiecesonto3/4"exterior-gradeplywood.Drawthreeparallellinesmarkingthesidesandcenterlineofthedoor(25"isagoodminimumwidthforthedoor),thenmakeamarkonthecenterlinetorepresentthetopofthedoor.Setahomemadecompass(yardstick-style;seepage101)tohalfofthedoorwidth.Usingthesamedimension,measuredownfromthetopofthedoorandmarkthecenterline.Placethepivotnailofthecompassonthenewmarkanddrawthearchtocompletethedoorshape.
Onanotherpartoftheplywoodsheet,layoutthetrim,followingthesameprocessaswiththedoor.Maketheinnerprofile1"narrowerand1/2"shorterthanthedoor.Drawtheouterprofile2-1/2"outsidetheinnerprofile.Usethesametechniquestomarkthelittleinsetdoorandtrimatthedesiredsize,centeringthelittledooronthecenterlineofthemaindoor.Thearchedtrimforthelittledoorisabout3/4"wideandoverlapstheopeningabout1/4"onthesidesandtop.Therectangularbasetrimisabout1"wide.
Cutoutthemaindoorwithajigsawandafinewoodblade(tominimizesplintering).Tocutouttheinsetdoor,drillasmallstarterholejustbelowthebottomofthelittledoor,thenmakethecutout,followingyourlinescarefully.Thecutoutpiecewillbecomethedoor,andthestarterholewillbecoveredbythebasetrim.Usethedoorstocheckyourlayoutofbotharchedtrimpieces,thencutthetrimwiththejigsaw.
Cutthedooropeningintothewallsiding,makingit1/2"largerthanthedoorprofile(seetip,page114).Installthemaindoortrimwithtrimheadscrewssothetrimoverlapsthedooropeningby1/2"atbothsidesandalongthearch.Using
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glueandbrads,installthetrimforthelittledoorsoitoverlapstheopeningatthesidesandtopbutnotthebottom.Installthebasetrimflushwiththelittledooropening.Hangthelittledoortothemaindoorwithtwosmallhingesmountedtothebacksidesofbothdoors.Addasmallknobandamagneticcatchorahook-and-eyelatchtokeepthelittledoorclosed.
Hangthemaindoorwithbutthingesscrewedintotheinteriorsideofthedoorandsiding.Uselongscrewsonthesiding-sideofthehingestopenetratethedoortrimforextraholdingstrength.Besuretocenterthedoorinitsopeningsoitclearsthesidingabout1/2"onbothsidesandabout1/4"atthetopandbottom.Addadoorhandleorgatelatchtothedoor,asdesired.It’sbestnottohavealockinghandleorlatchonthisdoor,lestyoufindyourselflockedoutofthetreehouseinanemergencyorwhenyouneedtoretrievearecalcitrantchild.
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Fundoorstendtobesmall,forkids,butit’sagoodideatomakethemwideenough(atleast24")foradultstofitthrough.
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Layoutthecutfortheinsetdoor(ifyou’remakingone),usingastandardcompass.Positionthelittledoorattherightheightforkidstolookthrough.
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Testyourtrimlayoutusingthecutdoorpiece.Whenindoubt,youcantracearoundthedoor,thenmark1/2"insidethetracedlinetocreatetheinneredgeofthetrim.
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Cutoutthedooropeningwithajigsaw.Thismatchestheshapeofthedoorbutisoffsetby1/2"toallowfora1/2"clearancegaponbothsidesand1/4"atthetopandbottomofthedoor.
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Tip:Ifpossible,leavesomespacebetweenthehinge-sideedgeofthedoorcutoutandthenearestwallstud.Becausethedoorismountedtothesiding(insteadofadoorframe)anoffsethereallowsthedoortoswingwider.
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Adoorcanaddalotofpersonalitytoatreehouse,sodon’tbeafraidtogetcreative.Youcandojustaboutanythingwithasheetofplywoodandajigsaw.Allofthedoorsshownhereworkfinebecausethehingesaremountedalongthestraightsides.
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ClassicDoorsHere’showtobuildtraditionalZ-bracedoorsusingboardsidingandstandard1×lumber.Aswithawindow,startwithabasicframe.Rip1×lumbertoequalthethicknessofthewallframe,plus3/4".Cutthetopjambtospanthetopoftheroughopening.Fastenthejambtotheheaderwithgalvanizedfinishnailssoitsoutsideedgeisflushwiththeoutsideoftheroughopening.Cutandinstallthesidejambstofitsnuglybetweenthetopjambandthefloor.
Buildthedoortofitthedimensionsofthenewframe,leavinga1/8"orsogaparoundtheperimeterofthedoor.Besuretofactorinanyoffsetcreatedbythehingeswhendeterminingthedoordimensions.Pine1×6T&Gboardsmakegreatdoormaterial.Cuttheboardstolengthandfitthemtogether.Riponeorbothsideboardsasneededtogetthedesireddoorwidth.Cut1×6Z-bracingtospanacrossthedooratthetopandbottomhingelocations,thencutanangledpiecetofitinbetween.Forstrength,theangledpieceshouldpointdowntothebottomhinge.AssemblethedoorwithscrewsdriventhroughtheZ-bracingandintotheT&Gboards.
Toinstallthedoor,firstadd1×trimalongtheinsideofthedoor’sroughopening,flushwiththeroom-sideedgesofthejambs.Mountthedoortothejambsusingoutdoor-typehinges,makingsurethedooropensandclosesfreely.Note:Asshownhere,thedooropensintothetreehouseinterior.Withthedoorclosed,install1/2"stops(cutfromtrimmaterial)alongthesidesandtopofthedoor.Addagatelatchorotherhandletokeepthedoorclosed.
YoucanusethesameconstructiontechniquestocreateaDutchdoor.Buildtwoshortdoorswithaslightgapinbetween,andadda1×4shelftothetopofthelowerdoor.Hangthedoorwithtwoseparatesetsofhinges.Installabarrelboltlatchverticallyontothetopdoorsotheboltextendsdownintoaholeorplateinthebottomdoor’sshelf.
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Aplainbattendoormadefrom1x6pinehasacertainrusticcharm.AsingleZ-bracestiffensthedoor,butaddingamiddlerailandsecondZ-bracepreventswarping.
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BecauseDIYdoorsarenotprehung,you’llneedtobuildyourownjambsanddoorstopusingthebasicconfigurationabove.
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ADutchdoorhasatopandabottomthatopenindependently(ortogetherifyouconnectthem).
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BuildingRoofs
Thisisit.Thehomestretch.You’reabouttobecomeacertifiedtreehousebuilder.Orcertifiable,dependingonhowtheprojecthasgone.Bynowyourhandsarealittlecallusedandyourskillshoned.That’sgood,becauseroofframingusuallyrequiressomeexperimentationandtrial-and-error.Oh,yes,andpatience.
Ifyouframedyourwallswithextremecareandeverythingcameoutsquareandperfectlylevel,youcoulddesignyourroofframeonpaperandusemathematicalcalculationstofindalltheanglesandlocatethenecessarycuts.Butbecauseyou’rebuildinginatree,itcansafelybeassumedthatyouimprovisedhereandthereandhadtowingitonoccasion,oryoumightnotbethetypewhocaresmuchforcalculations.Atanyrate,mosttreehouseroofbuildingworksbestwithacut-to-fitapproach.
Aftertheframingisdone,you’llsheaththeroofandinstalltheroofingmaterial.Iftheroofisfreeofinterveningtreeparts,youstandagoodchanceofkeepingtheinteriorofthehousedry.Iftherearepenetrations,youcantrytosealthem,butyoushouldstillfindanotherplacetostoreyoursignedcopyofSwissFamilyRobinson.
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Thestructuralmembersthatsupportatreehouseroofgenerallydon’tneedtobeasbeefyastheboardsusedforstructuresmadewithtraditionalbuildingtechniques.Here,a1×6ridgeboardprovidesadequatesupportwhilekeepingdowntheweightofthetreehouse.
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FramingtheRoofThemainstructuralmembersofanyframedroofaretherafters—thelumberribsthatsupportthesheathing,orroofdeck.Onagableroof,therafterssitontopofthesidewallsandmeetataridgeboard,orridgebeam,attheroof’speak.Raftersonhiproofsalsoformapeak,meetingataridgebeam,or,morecommonlyintreehouses,atthetree’strunk.Ashedroofhasnopeak,andtherafterssimplyspanfromwalltowall.
Aroof’soverallstrengthisdeterminedprimarilybythesizeofraftersandhowcloselythey’respaced.Becausetreehousestendtobesmallbuildings,theirroofsaretypicallybuiltwith2×3or2×4raftersspaced16"or24"oncenter.Asmallkids’treehousemightbefinewith2×2rafters,whileanarborealpalace,withrafterspansover7feet,mightcallfor2×6framing.Snowfallisalsoaprimaryconsiderationinfiguringraftersize.Ifyouliveinasnowyclimate,checkwiththelocalbuildingdepartmentforrafterspanrecommendationsforyourarea.
CUTTINGRAFTERSThetrickyparttoframinganytypeofroofisfiguringoutthecutswheretheraftersmeetthewallsandthepeak.Thecutatthepeakiseasyintheory:Itsangleisequaltothepitchoftheroof.Ifyourendwallisbuiltfora30°roofpitch,thetopendsoftheraftersforthiswallshouldbecutat30°.Inreality,thiscutmayneedsomeadjusting,butthetheoreticalangleisthebeststartingpoint.
Atthewall-endoftherafteraspecialcutcalledabird’smouthallowstheraftertomakelevelcontactwiththewall’stopplate.Thebird’smouthismadewithtwoperpendicularsawcuts.Theverticalcut,orheel,cutformsananglewiththebottomedgeoftherafterthat’sequalto90°minustheroofpitch(inourexample:90°–30°=60°).Thehorizontal,orseat,cutislevelwhentherafterisinstalled,andmeetsthebottomedgeoftherafteratthesameangleastheroofpitch.Youdon’thavetomemorizethisgeometry,butithelpstoknowthegoalwhencuttingthebird’smouthtofit.
Foreachtypeofroof,makesomeconservativetestcutsonasingle“pattern”rafter,thenadjustthecutsasneededthroughtrialanderror.Whentherafterfitswellonyourhousestructure,usethepatternrafterasatemplatetomarktheremainingrafters.Iftheraftersaretyingintoanunevensurfacesuchasatreepart,cutandtest-fittheremainingraftersoneatatime.
Tomakeabird’smouthcut,marktheseatandheelcuts,usingaraftersquaretosettheangles(seesidebaronpage120).Cutfromonesidewithacircular
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saw,thenfliptherafterovertocompletethecuts,oruseahandsaw.Don’tovercutthelinestocompletethecut,asthiscansignificantlyweakensmallrafters.
Theanglesofabird’smouthcutfora30°roofpitch.
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Cutthebird’smouthwithacircularsaw,cuttingfrombothsides(orfinishingwithahandsaw)toavoidovercuttinglines.
FRAMINGASHEDROOFCongratulations.You’vechosenthesimplestandeasiestroofofthelot.You’llbeevenhappierwithyourchoicewhenit’stimetoinstalltheroofing.Toframeyourshedroof,marktherafterlayoutontothewallplates,workingfromoneendwalltotheother.Forthelayout,counttheend-walltopplatesasrafters;forthese,you’llcutspecialraftersaftertheothersareinstalled.
Cutapatternraftertolengthsoitoverhangsthesidewallsasdesiredtocreateanicelyproportionedeave.Settherafteronthelayoutmarksontopofthetwosidewalls.Markwherebothsidesofeachwallintersectwiththerafter(ononesidetherafterwon’ttouchtheplate,soyou’llhavetoplaneupfromthewallwithastraightedge).Thesemarksrepresenttheoutsideendsofthebird’smouthseatcut.
Usearaftersquaretomarkthebird’smouthcuts.Makethecutsandtest-fittherafter.Adjustthecutsasneededuntilthejointsfitwellonbothwalls,thenusethepatternraftertomarktheremainingrafters.Cuttheraftersandfastenthemtothewallplateswith16dgalvanizedcommonnails.Ateachjoint,toenail
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twonailsononesideoftherafterandonenailontheoppositeside.Thetwospecialouterraftersgorightontopoftheend-wallplates.Because
theyhavenobird’smouthcuts,theymustberippeddownsothey’reflushatthetopwiththeotherrafters.Usealevelorstraightedgetoplaneoverfromtheadjacentraftersandmeasuredowntothetopplatetofindtherequireddepthfortheouterrafters.Riptheouterrafterstosizeandfastenthemtothetopplateswith16dnails.
FRAMINGAGABLEROOFThefirststeptoframingagableroofispreparingtheridgebeam.Theridgebeamgivesyousomethingtonailtherafterendsintoandtiesthemalltogetherforaddedstability.A1×6boardmakesagoodridgebeamfor2×3or2×4rafters.Cuttheridgebeamtolengthsoitspansthehousebetweentheinsidefacesofthegable-endwalls.
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Test-fitthepatternraftersonthewalls,usingascrappiecetoactastheridgebeam.
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Toenailtherafterstothewall-topplateswiththreenailsdrivenintotheplates.
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Leveloverfromtheinnerraftersandmeasuretofindthethicknessoftheouterrafters.
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Installtheouterraftersovertheend-wallplatessotherafterendsmeetattheroofpeak.
Marktherafterlayoutontotheridgebeam,workingfromoneendtotheother.Forthelayout,counttheend-walltopplatesasrafters;forthese,you’llcutspecialraftersaftertheothersareinstalled.Markthelayoutontobothsidefacesofthebeam.Holdtheridgebeamnexttoeachwallplateandtransferthelayoutontotheplate.
Fromthispoint,you’llneedatleastonehelperuntilseveraloftheraftersareinstalled.Cuttwopatternrafterstolengthsotheywilloverhangthesidewallsasdesiredtocreateawellproportionedeave.Usingascrapcutfromtheridgebeam,settheraftersonthesidewallswiththescrapheldbetweentheirtopends.Markwherebothsidesofeachwallintersectwiththerafters(ontheinsideofthewalltherafterwon’ttouchtheplate,soyou’llhavetoplaneupfromthewallwithastraightedge).Thesemarksrepresenttheoutsideendsofthebird’smouthseatcut.
Usearaftersquaretomarkthebird’smouthcuts.Makethecutsandtest-fittherafters.Adjustthecutsasneededuntilthejointsfitwellonbothwalls,thenusethepatternrafterstomarktheremainingrafters.Startingatoneendofthehouse,installtwoopposingrafterswiththeridgebeaminbetweensothetop
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endsoftheraftersareflushwiththetopedgeofthebeam(youcantemporarilytacktheotherendoftheridgetothefarwalltoholditupwhileyouwork).Toenailtherafterstothewallplateswithtwo16dgalvanizedcommonnailsononesideoftherafterandonenailontheotherside.Atthetopends,toenailthroughtheraftersandridgewiththree10dnails.Repeattoinstalltheremainingpairsofrafters.
Thefourspecialouterraftersinstallontopoftheend-wallplates.Theyhavenobird’smouthcuts,sotheymustberippeddownsotheirtopssitflushwiththetopsoftheotherrafters.Usealevelorstraightedgetoplaneoverfromtheadjacentraftersandmeasuredowntotheend-walltopplatestofindtherequireddepthoftheouterrafters.Theouterrafterswillmeettogetheratthepeak,withouttheridgebeaminbetween.Riptheouterrafterstosizeandfastenthemtothetopplateswith16dnails.
FRAMINGAHIPROOFAsimplehiproofhastheperfectshapeforcappingoffasquaretreehousesurroundingacentraltrunk.Sincetheroofpitchhasyettobedetermined,firstpickananglethatlooksgoodtoyou—let’ssay40°.Cutoneendofapatternrafterat40°.Useahandsaworcircularsawtobeveltheedgeofoneoftheoutsidewallcornersat40°.Thiscreatesaflatsurfaceforreceivingtherafter.Settherafteronthewallandthetree.Ifeverythinglooksgood,markwherethetopoftheraftermeetsthetree.Usealeveltoextendthismarkaroundtheperimeterofthetrunk.
Usingthepatternrafter,markthecutsforthreemorecornerrafters(thehiprafters).Cutofftheremainingthreewallcornerstomatchthefirst.Installthefourhiprafterssotheirtopendsareonthetreemarkingandtheirbottomendsrestonthewalls.Fastentherafterstothetreewith3-1/2"galvanizedwoodscrews;fastentothewallswithscrewsor16dgalvanizedcommonnails.Drivetwotoenails(orscrews)ononesideoftherafterandonenailontheotherside.
Tocuttheinterior,orcommon,rafters,setuptwomason’slines:onelinerunningbetweenthetopsofthehiprafters,directlyabovewheretheymeetthewalls,andonelinestrungaroundtheendsofthehipraftertails.Usethelinesforreferenceasyoucutthecommonrafterstofitthestructure.Markthecommonrafterlayoutontothetopwallplates,centeringafull-lengthrafterbetweeneachpairofhiprafters.You’llprobablyalsoneedtwoormoreshortraftersthatrunfromthehiprafterstothewalls.Thesearecalledjackrafters.
Thecommonsandjacksgetabird’smouthcuttorestontopofthewall.Cutandtest-fittheraftersoneatatime,usingthestringstohelpwithmeasurements.Cutthecommonrafterslongtostartwith,thenmiterthetopendstofitroughly
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tothetree,followedbythebird’smouth.Tocutthejackrafters,bevelthetopendstofitflushagainstthesidefacesofthehiprafters.Thiscanbeadifficultcut,butitdoesn’thavetobeperfect;justgetitcloseenoughtomakeastrongjoint.Whenalljointsfitwell,cutthebottomendofeachraftertolengthsoitmeetstheoutermason’sline.Fastentheraftersasyoufastenedthehiprafters.
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ASquarefortheHipAraftersquare(alsocalledaspeedsquare)isahandytoolformarkingangledcutsusingthedegreeofthecutortheroofslope.Setthesquareflangeagainsttheboardedgeandalignthepivotpointwiththetopofthecut.Pivotthesquareuntiltheboardedgeisalignedwiththedesireddegreemarkingortheriseoftheroofslope,indicatedintherowofcommonnumbers.Markalongtheright-angleedgeofthesquare.
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Aclippedcornerhaspartofthesidingandcapplatecutawaysothehipraftercansitsquarelyontopofthewall.
Stringmason’slinesfromraftertiptoraftertipandtestwithalineleveltomakesurethattheraftersareall
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levelwithoneanother.
Fastenthetopendsofthejackrafterstothesidesofthehiprafters.
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Sheathing&RoofingIfyou’veeverbuiltashedorevenadoghouse,youknowthatroofingasmallbuildingcanbeparticularlysatisfying.Yougettolearnandpracticebasicroofingskillswithoutthebackbreakingworkofendlessroofexpanses.Thesameistruefortreehouses.
Thefirststepischoosingaroofingmaterial,andthatwilldeterminewhatyou’llusefortheroofdeck,orsheathing.Ifyou’rebuildingasmalltreehouse,youmightwanttotaketheeasyrouteanduseacoupleofsheetsofplywoodasthesheathingandtheroofing.Onanyhousewithagableorshedroof,consideradding1×trimupagainsttheundersideoftheroofsheathingalongtheendwalls,tohidethefacesoftheouterrafters.
ASPHALTSHINGLESAsphaltshinglesarecheap,durable,andeasytoinstall.They’relaidoverplywoodsheathingandalayerof15-poundbuildingpaper.Theyare,however,theheaviestofthestandardroofingmaterialsandmightnotbethebestchoiceifyou’retryingtominimizeweight.
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Plywoodroofdeckingisthefastestandusuallycheapesttypeofdeckingtoinstall.Makesuretheplywoodyouuseisratedforuseinroofing.Ifyou’llbeinstallingasphaltshingles,aplywooddeckisthewaytogo.
Toinstallanasphaltshingleroof,startwithasinglelayerof1/2"exterior-gradeplywoodsheathing.Workingupfromtheendsoftherafters,fastenthesheathingtotherafterswith8dgalvanizedboxnails,drivenevery6"alongtheedgesandevery12"inthefieldofthesheets.Overhangtheraftersidesandendsasdesired.Leaveextraoverhangatthesidesoftheouterraftersifyouplantoinstalltrimthere.Cuttheplywoodasneededsoverticaljointsbetweensheetsbreakonthecenterofarafter,andstaggertheverticaljointsbetweenrows.
Addthebuildingpaper,overhangingthesheathingalongtheeaveby3/8".Forahiproof,alsooverhangthehipridgesbyatleast6".Securethepapertothesheathingwithstaples.Installtheremainingrows,overlappingtherowbelowby
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atleast2",andoverlapanyverticaljointsbyatleast4".Onagable,overlaptheroofpeakby6",theninstallpaperontheotherside,workingupfromtheeave.
Begintheshingleinstallationwithastartercourse:Snapachalkline11-1/2"upfromtheeave(forstandard12"-wideshingles).Cutoffhalf(6")oftheendtabonthefirstshingleandpositiontheshingleupsidedownsothetabsareonthechalkline.Overhangthesideedge(ongableandshedroofs)by3/8".Fastentheshinglewithfour2droofingnails,about3-1/2"fromthebottomedge.Installtherestofthestarterrowinthesamemanner,usingfullshinglesandbuttingtheirendstogether.Note:Forahiproof,completelyshingleoneroofsectionatatime,trimming
theshinglesalongthehippeaksbeforemovingontothenextsection.Installthenextcoursedirectlyontopofthestartercoursebutwiththetabs
pointingdown.Beginwithafullshingletoestablisha6"(half-tab)overlapofthetabsbetweencourses.Usefournailsforeachshingle:onenail5/8"aboveeachtabandonenail1"infrombothends.Foreachsuccessivecourse,snapachalkline17"upfromthebottomofthelastinstalledcourse;thishelpsyoukeeptheshinglesstraightandmaintainsaneven5"exposure.Overhangthefirstshingleineachcoursebyahalftabuntilyougettoa1-1/2-taboverhang,thenstartoverwithafullshingle.
Toshinglethepeaksofgableandhiproofs,cutridgecappiecesfromfullshingles,asshowninthephoto(page123).Cutonecapforevery5"ofridge.Centerthecapsovertheridgeandfastenthemwithtwonails.
Startinstallingasphaltthree-tabshinglesfromtheeaveareaoftheroofandworkyourwayuptowardthe
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peak.Ifyou’venevershingledaroofbefore,makesuretogetsomeexperiencedhelporatleastplentyofgoodinformationbeforeattemptingit.
Whenthefieldshinglesareallin,cutthreecapshinglesfromeachthree-tabshingle,taperingthesideedgesslightlyasshown(inset).Nailthecapsovertheridgesothenailsarecoveredbythenextcap.
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Roof,MeetTreeWhenroofsleakonregularhouses,it’salmostalwaystheresultofintroducingforeignobjects—plumbingvents,skylights,dormers,meteorites,younameit.Well,atreeisaveryforeignobjecttoaroof,andalargepenetratingbranchortrunkmakessealingtheroofanongoingchallenge.Butitcanbedone.Yourbestbetistowraparoundthetreeandoverthetopofthepenetrationwithoverlappingpiecesofneoprenerubber(thestuffusedinwetsuits).Sealtheneoprenetothetreewithacompatibleroofingorguttersealant.Keepsomeextrasealanthandyforroutinespotchecks.Clearroofcement,suchastheThroughtheRoofproductshownbelow(seeResources)canbeusedtofillsmallgapsinvisibly.Becauseitisroofcement,itwillremainflexibleovertimesoitdoesn’tcrack.
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Whentheroofdeckisinstalled,wrappiecesof3/16"-thickneoprenearoundthepenetratingtreepart,overlappingontothetree,thedecking,andtheotherneoprenepieces.Test-fitthepiecesasyouwork,withoutusingsealant.Whenyou’resuretheleakiscovered,Installthecollarpiecesoneatatime,startingatthelowestpointoftheroofdeckandworkingupandaroundthetree.Overlaptheupperpiecesontothelowerpieces,aswithroofshingles.Sealalledgesoftheneoprenewithaliberalapplicationofroofingcementorguttersealant.Tackthepiecestothetreewithafewdeckscrews,asneeded.Completetheroofinstallationasnormal,overlappingtheshinglesontotheneoprenepiecesatthesidesandtopofthetree,andsealaroundtheshinglesifnecessary.
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Cedarroofshingleslookterrificupinatree.Installingthemisverysimilartoinstallingshinglesforsiding.Besuretoreadtheshinglemanufacturer’sdirectionscarefullytofindrecommendedexposuresandinstallationpractices.
Thepeakofaroofcreatedwithwoodshingleswillnaturallyhaveaseamthatneedscovering.Theeasiestwaytodothisisbybevelingtwopiecesofridgetrimsoonepiecefitsovertheotherpiece.
CEDARSHINGLESInstallingacedarshingleroofisalmostidenticaltosidingawallwithcedarshingles,whichiscoveredindetailonpage89.Thefewdifferencesforaroofapplicationareexplainedhere.Note:Don’tusecedarshinglesonroofswithlessthana3-in-12pitch(about14°).
Sheaththeroofwith1×4skipsheathing,spacingtheboardstoequaltheshingleexposure.Followtheshinglemanufacturer’srecommendedexposureforthesizeandgradeofyourshinglesandtheroofslope.Installadoublestartercourseofshinglesalongtheeave,overhangingtheroofedgeby1-1-1/2"attheeaveand1"attheside.Leavea1/4"gapbetweenadjacentshinglestoallowforexpansion,andoverlapthegapsbyatleast1-1/2"betweencourses.
Tocompletethepeakofagableroof,layerstripsof15-poundbuildingpaper(tarpaper)intothelasttwocoursesofshingles,asshowninthephoto(above).Capthepeakwithcustom-beveled1×trimboardsorpre-maderidgecaps.Captheridgesonahiproofwithpre-maderidgecaps.
METALORPLASTICROOFINGWithitshistoryasapopularroofmaterialforfarmbuildingsandcabins,corrugatedroofinghastherightcharacterfortreehouses.Thematerialusuallycomesin2-footwidepanelsinvariouslengths.Orderpanelslongenoughtospaneachroofsectionsoyouwon’thavetodealwithhorizontaljoints.Installationofcorrugatedroofingisspecifictothetypeandmanufacturerofthepanelsyouuse,andyoushouldfollowthemanufacturer’sinstructionscarefully.
Hereisageneraloverviewtogiveyouanideaoftheroofingprocess:Startbyinstalling1×or2×lumberpurlinsperpendiculartotherafters.Fastentheroofing
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panelstothepurlinswithscrewsornailsfittedwithself-sealingrubberwashers.Overlapadjacentpanelsattheribs,thenfastenthroughbothpanelstosealtheseam.Caproofridgeswithapreformedridgecap,sealingittotheroofingpanelswithasealerstripandcaulk.
Corrugatedmetalorfiberglassroofpanelsarelightweightandeasytoinstall,makingthemagoodchoiceforatreehouse.Theyareusuallyinstalledoverfoamorplasticfillerstripsthathavethesameprofileastheroofpanels.Thefillerstripsareattachedtoboards(calledpurlins)thatfitbetweentheroofrafters.
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ModesofAccess
GettingfrompointAtopointBcanbehalfthefunofatreehouse.It’soneofthethingsthatseparatestreehousesfromotherhangoutsandplayareas.Withalittlecreativethinking,youcandeviseallkindsofaccesspointsandbuildyourownconveyancesusingstandardmaterials.It’salsofuntocheckouttheequipmentavailablethroughspecialtydealers.
So,what’sgoingtobeyourmodeofaccess?Kidswillusuallychoosethemoreadventurousroutes,likeclimbingropesorziplines.Thenagain,kidsridebikeswiththeireyesclosed.Foryou,perhapsaflat-rungladderisabetterchoiceforbalancingease-of-useandout-of-the-ordinary.Oftenacombinationoftraveloptionsisbest—maybealadderforgettinguptothetreehousewithanarmloadofstuff,andafireman’spoleforswashbucklingexits.
Atraditionalstaircaseisalsoanoption,andagoodideaforanyonewithlimitedagilityorfortreehousesthatreceivelotsofregulartraffic.
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LaddersAhandmade,permanentlyattachedwoodladderisperhapsthebestall-aroundmeansofaccessforatreehouse.Twogoodladderdesignsarethedouble-rungandtheflat-rung,bothofwhicharesuitableforprimarymeansofaccess.Theropeladder,akids’favorite,ismoredifficulttouseandservesbetterasafun,secondaryroute.
DOUBLE-RUNGLADDERThisladderworksmuchlikeanextensionladderbutwithgreaterfootstabilityofferedbythedoubledrungs.Tobuildtheladder,startwithtwolong,straight2×6sthatarerelativelyknot-free.Theseareusedforthestringers(sideuprights)oftheladder.Setoneoftheboardsontheground,andleanitagainstthetreehouseplatformatananglethatlookscomfortableforclimbing—60°to70°isagoodrangeformostsituations;we’lluse65°forthisexample.
Cutthebottomendsofthestringersat65°.Leanthemagainsttheplatformat65°andmarkthetopendsforcutting.Whentheladderisfinished,youcanfastenthestringerstotheplatformortorailingpostsateithersideoftheladderlanding.Atthispoint,decidewhetherthestringersshouldstopflushwiththeplatformsurfaceorextendabovetheplatformtoserveashandholds.Cutthetopendsofthestringers,roundingthemoverorsquaringoff,asdesired.Thestringersmustbeidenticalinlengthandshape.
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Theideaofafirepolemayfillyouwithalarm,butkidslovethem.Ifyouprovidesupervisionandasoftlandingplaceyou’llfindthatafirepolemaybecomethepreferredmethodforexiting(orevenentering)atreehouse.
Adouble-rungladderemployspairsof1-1/2"dowelsateachsteptocreateamorestablesteppingpoint.Thedowelsareglued(withawater-resistantadhesivesuchaspolyurethaneglue)into1"-deepholesinthestringers.
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Clampandgluethedoubledrungsasyougo.Ifyouspacetherungpairsatroughly12"intervalsyoushouldhavesufficientflexinthestringerssoyoucansuccessfullyinserteachnewpairwithoutunclampingtheprecedingpair.
Marktherunglayoutontothefrontedgeofoneofthestringers,markingevery10"to12"andstartingatthebottom,frontendofthestringer.Standardrungspacingis12",but10"ismorecomfortableforkids.Makesurethespacingisuniformovertheentirelayout.Placethestringerstogetherandtransfertherunglayouttotheunmarkedstringer.Extendeachlayoutmarkacrosstheinsidefaceofeachstringerat65°,usingaraftersquareoratemplatecutat65°.
Measure1-3/4"infromthefrontandrearedgesofthestringersandmarktherungcentersoneachlayoutline.Note:Thismeasurementisfora1-1/2"-diameterdowel.Cuttherungstolengthat20".Thisgivesyouauseablerungwidthof18"andatotalladderwidthof21".Ateachrungcenterpoint,drilla1-1/2"-diameter×1"-deephole,usingaspadebitmarkedwithmaskingtapetogaugetheholedepth.Test-fitseveralrungstomakesuretheyfitsnuglyintheholes.
Layoutallthepartssoeverything’sreadyfortheglue-up.Workingononestringer,coattheinsidesoftherungholeswithwaterproofwoodglue;avoidfillinguptheholeswithexcessglue,asthiswillpreventthedowelsfromsettingtofulldepth.Seatthedowelscompletelyintheholes,usingarubbermallet,ifnecessary.Makesureeachdowelisperpendiculartothestringer.Whenalldowelsarein,glueuptheotherstringer(ithelpstohaveanotherpersonworkingaheadofyou)andsetitoverthedowelends,completelyseatingthemintheholes.Clampthestringerssotheladderissquare,andletthegluedry.Securethecompletedladdertothetreehouseplatformorrailingpostswithscrews.
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FLAT-RUNGLADDERAflat-rungladderfeelsalittlemorelikeastaircaseandisalittleeasiertoclimbthanastandardladder.However,forsafety,climbersshouldalwaysfacetheladderwhengoingupordown.Anoptionalhandrailoneachsideisagoodideaforadditionalsafety.Tobuildaflat-rungladder,followthestepsgivenforthedouble-rungladder(page126)toestablishtheladderangle,cutthe2×6stringers,andmarktherunglayout.Fortheflat-rungladder,thelayoutlinesfortherungsrepresentthetopofeachrung.
Cut2×4or2×6rungstolengthat18".Thisgivesyouatotalladderwidthof21".Fasteneachrungwiththree3-1/2"galvanizeddeckscrewsdriventhroughpilotholesintheoutsideofeachstringerandintotheendsoftherungs.Makesurethetopoftherungisonthelayoutlineanditsbackedgeisjusttouchingthebackedgesofthestringers.Reinforceeachrungconnectionwitha1×2cleat.Thecleatsshouldextendfromjustbehindtherung’sfrontedgetotherearedgeofthestringers.Fastenthecleatswith2"screwsdriventhroughpilotholesinthecleatsandintothestringers.
Toaddhandrails,cut3"-longblocksfrom2×2lumber,andsandalledgessmooth.Installtheblocksonthefrontedgesofthestringersat36"intervals,usingpairsof3-1/2"screws.Fortherailing,install1-1/4"or1-1/2"-diameterdowelrodscenteredside-to-sideontheblocks.Fastenthroughtherailingandintotheblockswith3-1/2"screwsdriventhroughcounterboredpilotholes.Makesureallscrewheadsarebelowthesurfaceoftherailing.Ifyouneedmorethanonewooddowelrodforeachsideoftherailing,butttherailingpiecestogetheroverthecenterofablock,andpintheendstogetherwithacoupleofangledfinishnailstoensureasmoothtransition.
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Fastentherungstothestringers,thenbackupeachrungwithapairof1×2cleats.
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Countersinktherailingscrewssothere’snothingprotrudingabovetherailingsurface.
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Notyoureverydayladder.Ropeladderstakealittlegettingusedto,butthey’realotoffun.They’reeasiestandsafesttousewhenthey’reanchoredatthebottomtopreventswaying(youcansnaptheladderontotheanchorwithacarabinersoitcanbepulledupintothetreehouseifdesired).
ROPELADDERSRopeladderscanbealittletrickytoclimb,butthat’swhatmakesthemfun.Kidscanpretendthatthey’rescalinguptheriggingofapirate’sshiptoreachthecrow’snestatopthemainmast.Ahandytrickformakingaropeladdermorestableistosecurethebottomendtotheground.Onceyou’vehungtheladder,tiethetworopeendstogetheratthebottomwithalockingcarabinerattached.Clipthecarabinerintoaneyeboltsetinsomeconcreteintheground.Youcaneasilyunclipthecarabinertopulluptheladderintothetreehouse.
Tomakearopeladder,cuttwolengthsof3/4"nylonormanilarope,includingseveralextrafeetofslack.Fortherungs,cut1×4boardsor1-1/2"-diameterwooddowelsat21".You’llneedonerungforevery10"ofverticalriseoftheladder.Drilla3/4"holethrougheachrung,2"infromeachendandcenteredside-to-sideontherung.Leavingplentyofslackfortyingofftheropeends,marktheropesevery10".Workingfromthetopdown,threadeachrungontotheropesandtieasimpleknotbelowtherungsothetopoftherungisonthelayoutlines.Repeattoinstalltheremainingrungs.
Securethetopendsoftheladderropestothetreehouse’splatformframing,
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railing,oroverheadbeamsusingabowlineknotoneachrope.Ifdesired,anchorthebottomendoftheladdertotheground,asdescribedabove.
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Stairs
Basiccarpentryandmathskillsareallyouneedtobuildafinestaircasetothetreehouse.Seepage131foraschematiccutawayofthisdesign.
Traditionalstairsmightbeapreferablemodeoftreehouseaccessforanynumberofreasons.They’resaferandeasiertoclimbthanaladderorladdersteps.They’realsoagoodideafortreehousesthatareusedforworkorotheractivitiesthatfrequentlyrequirehaulingsupplies(orlunch)upanddown.
Whilestairsinsideyourhouseandthoseservingattacheddecksandthelikearestrictlygovernedbybuildingcodes,thedesignspecificationsfortreehouse
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stairstypicallyaren’tasstringent.Youmightchoosetobuildyourstepsnarrowerthanthestandard36"minimumortomakethemabitsteepertosavespace.However,besuretoincludestrongrailingsallthewayupandtomakethestepsuniforminheightanddepth.Anunexpectedvariationinstepsizewillalwaystripyouup,ifnotworse.
Thestairbuildingtechniqueoutlinedhereisasimplifiedversionofhowmostcarpentersdoit.Thebasicconstructioninvolvestworelativelyshortflightsofstairsjoinedbyasmalllanding.Youcanusethesamemethodsdescribedtobuildalongersetofsingle-flightstairs,butlandingsarerecommendedforanystaircasewithmorethan12stepstotal.Forstaircasesthatrisewellover8feetandrequiremorethanonelanding,consultabuildingproforhelpwiththestaircasedesignandconstruction.
Astaircasecanbeparticularlyusefulforthetreehousebuild,andyoucanconstructthestairsassoonasthetreehouseplatformiscomplete.However,ifthere’sanychancethatyourkidsandneighborhoodyoungsterswillfindtheirwayupthestairsbeforethehouseisfinished,don’tbuildthestairsuntiltheplatformrailingiscompleteandthereisn’tanyplacearoundtheplatformwhereanunwitting(orwitless)personcouldgethurtorfall.Alsobesuretoropeofforbarricadeastaircasewhenyou’renotaroundduringtheconstructionphase.
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Cutawayviewofstairpath.Toseehowstairteminologyworks,seepage132.
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UnderstandingStairTerminologyStairsarelaidoutusingthefollowingdimensions,mostofwhicharemeasuredon-siteandadjustedtofittheinstallation:
Totalrise:theverticaldistancebetweenthelowerlevel(bottomofstairs;inthiscase,theground)totheupperlevel(topofstairs;thetreehouseplatform).
Totalrun:thehorizontaldistancebetweenthebottomandthetopofthestairs.
Unitrise:theverticaldistancefromthetopofonesteptreadtothetopofthenexttread.
Unitrun:thehorizontaldistancefromthefrontedgeofonetreadtothefrontedgeofthenexttread.
Onstairswithlandings(morethanoneflight),thetotalriseisthecombinedrisedimensionsoftheflights;thetotalrunisthecombinedrundimensions,notcountingthelanding.
CALCULATINGSTAIRPARTSFiguringthedimensionsforlayingoutbasicstairsisastraightforwardprocessusingsimplemath,butitdoesinvolveseveralsteps.Staircalculationsalsocanvary,basedonthestaircasedesign,thesite,andthedesiredsizeofthesteps.Thefollowingisasimplifiedmethodforfiguringdimensionsforthestairsshownhere,usingastandardtreaddepth(unitrun)of11"andanapproximatestepheight(unitrise)of7".
1.Findtheapproximatetotalriseofthestaircasebymeasuringfromthegroundtothetopofthetreehouseplatform.Youwilltakeamoreaccuratemeasurementthataccountsforgroundelevationlaterintheprocess.
Asanexample,theplatformonpage131is96"abovetheground.Therefore:
Approximatetotalrise=96"
2.Findtheapproximatetotalrunofthestairsbymultiplyingthetotalrisebytherise-runratio.For7"-tall,11"-deepsteps,therise-runratiois1.57(11÷7=1.57).
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Ex:96"(approx.totalrise)×1.57=151"(roundedup)
Becauseastaircase(orflight)alwayshasonefewerrununitsthanriseunits,subtracttworiseunits(oneforeachflight)fromthetotalrun.
Ex:151–22=129"
3.Findtheactualtotalrise:First,dividetheapprox.totalrunby2.
Ex:129÷2=65"(roundedup)
Usethisdimensiontoroughlylayoutthestairpath.Startingatapointevenwiththetreehouseplatform,measureoutarightangleontheground,witheachlegoftheangleat65",asshownonpage131.Then,usealong,straightboardtoleveloverfromthetreehouseplatformtothebottom-of-staircaselocation.Measurebetweentheboardandthegroundatthisspottofindtheactualtotalriseofthestaircase.
Findtheapproximatelocationofthebottomendofthestaircasebyplottingthestairpath(seeillustration).Leveloverfromtheplatform(topofstairs)toapointdirectlyabovethebottomofthestairs,thenmeasureforthetotalrise.
4.Usetheaccuratetotalrisetocalculatethefinalstairelements.Forourexample,thegroundslopesdownabitfromthetreehouse,sotheactualtotalriseis100".Therefore:
Numberofsteps(includinglandingandtreehouseplatform):totalrise÷7(standardriseunit)
100÷7=14.29.Rounddownto14.
Unitrise(heightofeachstep):totalrise÷numberofsteps
100÷14=7.14,or7-1/8".
Totalrun:totalrise×rise-runratio–tworiseunits
rise-runratio:11÷7.14=1.54
100×1.54=154
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154–22=132
Totalrunperflight:66"(132÷2)
Totalriseperflight:50"(100÷2)
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CONSTRUCTIONNOTES
Onceyou’vecalculatedthestairdimensions,youcanlayoutandinstallthelandingposts.Locatethehouse-sideedgeofthelandingathalfthedistanceofthetotalrun—66"inourexample.Thepostswillgoinsidethelanding’sjoistframe,soinstallthem1-1/2"insidethefootprintofthelandingonallfoursides.
Foreachpost,diga12"-diameterholeatleast42"deep(orasneededtoextend6"belowthefrostline).Add6"ofcompactiblegraveltothebottomoftheholeandtampitdown.Locatethetwostartingpostswiththebottomendofthefirst-flightrunandalignedwiththelandingposts.Thestartingpostsshouldextendatleast43"abovetheground.
Markthetopofthefinishedlandingontothefourlandingposts.Thisshouldbeexactlyhalfofthetotalrisefortheentirestaircase.Cutfour2×10joiststowraparoundtheoutsidesoftheposts.Installthese1-1/2"belowthemarks,fasteningtothepostswithpairsoflagscrewswithwashers.Coverthejoistswith2×6decking,spacingtheboardsabout1/4"apartfordrainage.Makesurethedeckingisflushwiththeoutsidesofthejoistframeonthetwosidesthatwillreceivethestairstringers.
INSTALLINGTHESTAIRANGLES&STRINGERSInstallthemetalstairanglesontotheinsidefacesofbothstringers,centeringtheanglesundereachtreadmarking.Note:Onecommonlyavailabletypeofstairanglehasthreescrewholesononeflangeandfourontheother.Youcaninverttheanglesothefour-holeflangeisagainstthetreadboards,allowingyoutodrivetwoscrewsintoeachboard.Fastentheanglestothestringersusingthemanufacturer’sspecifiedscrews(don’tusestandarddeckscrews,whicharemuchmorevulnerabletoshearingoffunderweight).
Mountthestringerstothelandingwithmetalframingconnectorsdesignedforstairstringers,usingthemanufacturer’sspecifiedfasteners.Theoutsidefacesofthestringersshouldbealignedwiththeinsidefacesofthelandingposts.Anchorthebottomendsofthestringerstotheinsidesofthestartingpostswithlagscrewsandwashers.
ADDINGTHESTEPTREADSCut2×6treadboardstofitsnuglybetweenthestringers.Thestringersshouldbeperfectlyparallel,soyoushouldbeabletocutallofthetreadsatthesamelength.Eachstepgetstwotreadboards.Installeachpairofboardsstartingwiththefrontpiece.Alignthefrontedgeofthetreadwiththetopedgesofthestringers.Fastenthetreadwiththespecifiedscrewsdrivenupthroughthe
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horizontalflangeofthestairangleandintothetread.Eachtreadgetstwoscrews.Installthesecondboard,leavinga1/4"gapinbetweenfordrainage.
BUILDINGTHESECONDFLIGHTTheuppersectionofstairsisconstructedalmostidenticallytothefirstflight,withacoupleofminordifferences:Whencuttingandfittingthefirststringer,startbymakingtheplumbcutatthetopend,matchingtheangleofthetopplumbcutsonthefirst-flightstringers.Test-fitthiscut,andmakeanynecessaryadjustments,thentracealongthelandingtomarkthebottomplumbcut.
Whenlayingoutthesteps,thebottomtreadshouldbe7-1/8"higher(measuringvertically)thanthetopcornerofthebottomplumbcutonthestringers.Anchorthestringerstothetreehouseplatformandthelandingwiththesamestringerconnectorsusedonthefirstflight.Thetopsofthestringersshouldbeflushwiththetopsofthelandingandtreehouseplatform,respectively.
Installa4×4railingpostattheoutsideofeachstringeratthetopofthestairstosupportthestaircaserailings.
ADDINGTHERAILINGSForshortflightsofstairs,youmightbefinewith2×4railingsspanningbetweenthelandingpostsandthestartingortreehouserailingposts.Forlongerruns,installmid-spansupportpostsontotheoutsidefacesofthestringers.
Cuttheendsoftherailingswithplumbcutssothey’reflushwiththefacesoftheposts.Installthetoprailingssotheirtopedgesare34"to36"abovethetopsofthetreads,measuringvertically.Fastentherailingstotheinsidefacesofthepostswithlongdeckscrews.Installthebottomrailingsabouthalfwaybetweenthetoprailingsandthestringers,oryoucanhavethreeevenlyspacedrailingsoneachside.Iftoddlerswillusethestairs,youmightwanttoincludeverticalbalustersspacedjustunder4"apart.Inanycase,bothsidesofthestaircasemusthavearailing.
Securethetwoopensidesofthelandingwithastandardcode-compliantrailingthatmatchestherailingonthetreehouseplatform.
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TrapDoorsClimbingropes,secretladders,andothercoolmodesofaccessneedanequallycoolpointofentry:atrapdoor,ofcourse.Theclassictrapdoorissquare,withaframebuiltintothefloorjoists,andthedooritselfmadefromacutoutofthefloorboards.Usingthisbasicdesignyoucancomeupwithyourownvariations—triangular,hexagonal...practicallyanyshapeyouwish.
Tobuildatrapdoor,firstdecideonthesizeoftheopening.Withfloorjoistsframedat24"oncenter,you’realreadyhalfwaytomakinga22-1/2"squareopening.Justaddtwosidepiecesbetweenthejoists,andtheframeisdone.With16"joistspacing,thejoistsareonly14-1/2"apart—alittletootightformosttrapdoors.Tomakealargeropening,cutoutthejoistrunningthroughtheplannedopeningandinstalltwojoistheaderstocarrythecutends.Theninstalloneortwosidepiecesbetweentheheaderstocompletetheframedopening.Usethesamelumberfortheframeasyouusedforthejoists.
Next,adda1×2stopateachsideoftheframe,flushwiththeundersideofthefloor.Cutoutthefloorboardsflushwiththeframepieces(notthestops).Fastentheboardstogetherwith1×cleatsorasquareofplywoodtocreatethedoor.Maintaintheoriginalspacingbetweenthefloorboardssothetrapdoorwillblendwiththerestofthefloor.Mountthedoorwithhingesinstalledonthebackedgeofthedoorsoonlythebarrelsofthehingesstickupabovethefloor.Forahandle,cutafingerholeinthedoor,orinstallarecessedcabinetpull.
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Joistheaderssupporttheendsofthecutjoistandbecometwosidesofthedooropeningframe.
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Atrapdoorisafun,secretentrytoatreehouse,butitofferssomestructuraladvantagesaswell.Forexample,ifyouemployatrapdoorasyouronlypointofentryyoucanencirclethetreehousecompletelywithrailings.
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Fireman’sPoleThere’snothingbetterthanafireman’spoleforspeedyexits.Allittakestobuildoneisalengthofplasticpipe,someconcrete,andapieceofplywoodorlumber.Inafirehouse,firefighterszipdownapolethroughalarge,roundopening,butyoucansetyoursupthroughasquaretrapdoor—justcutaslotinthedoortofitoverthepolewhenclosed.
Tomakeafireman’spole,cutalengthof3"diameterPVCplumbingpipetoextendfromananchorpointonthetreehousedowntoafootorsobelowthegroundlevel.Securethepoleatthetopwitha3/4"plywoodorlumbercollarwithaholedrilledthroughitthatjustfitsoverthepole.Fastenthecollartotheroofframingorothersupportmembers.Withthebottomofthepoleontheground,thetopendshouldextendabout18"abovethecollar.Positionthepolesoit’sperfectlyplumb,thenmarkwherethepolehitstheground.Diga12"-diameter×12"-deepholecenteredaroundthepolemark.Setthepoleintheholeandfilltheholewithconcrete.Checkthepoleagainforplumbandlettheconcretedry.
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Alengthofplasticplumbingpipemakesagreatfireman’spole.Aslottedtrapdoorclosesuptheaccessopening.
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Swings&Playthings
Ifyoucametothischapterfirst,you’reintherightstateofmindforowningatreehouse.Ifyou’vejustfinishedyourtreehouseandarewantingtojazzitupalittle,congratulations(you’rewayaheadoftheotherguy).Onethingthatmostnewtreehouseownerslearnrightawayishowmuchtheircreationbecomesahubofactivity.Kidsnotonlyplayintreehouses,theyplayunderthemandaroundthemand,sometimes,whennoone’swatching,overthem.Soitmakessensetoaddafewextrathingsforkidstodoatthetreehousesite.Andfortheadults?Thisauthorrecommendsahammock.Period.
Afewtreehouseaccessoriesareeasytomakeyourself,likeclimbingropesandsimpleswings.Otheradd-onsarebetterpurchasedfromreputableretailers.“Reputable”isn’tusedlightly,either;youdon’twantaziplinemanufacturedfromshoddymaterials,forexample.Sincethere’snoplacetoshopfortreehouseaccessoriesatyourlocalmall,you’llhavetobealittleresourceful.Thebestplacetostartiswithanonlinesearchunder“playstructures,”“playgroundequipment,”etc.,orwithkeywordsforspecificitems,suchas“climbingwalls”or“hammocks.”Alotofequipmentmadeforplaystructurescaneasilybeadaptedforatreehouseplayarea.
Areminderaboutgroundcovers:Whilemanyofusgrewupplayingonblacktopplaygroundsandsportsfieldsthatfeltlikerammedearth,thingsaredifferentnow.Coveringaplayareawithathicklayerofwoodchipsorothershock-absorbingmaterialisaneasy,effectivewaypreventinjurytokids.It’sreallyano-brainer,asinnoonegetsbrainedfromaminorfall.
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Swingthroughtheairwiththegreatestofease!Atreeswingcanhangfromanysuitablelimborastouttreehousebeam,buttheconnectingpointshouldbeatleast10ft.abovethegroundforaniceride(swingsforsmallchildrencanbelower).
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ClassicTreeSwingsFormostpeople,theloveofswingingstartssometimeinthefirstyearoflifeandendswhenyourealizetheyjustmakeyoutoodizzy.Weloveswingsbecausetheymakeusfeel,ifonlyforabriefbutrepeatablemoment,likewe’reflying.Homemadetreeswingsarethebest,becauseyoucanhangthemfromatalllimbforalong,swoopingflight,andyoucanmakethembigenoughandstrongenoughforadults.
Thetwoswingsshownhereareeasytomakeandequallyfuntouse,yeteachoffersadifferentfeelinboththerideandtheseating.Thisisgoodnews,asyou’lllikelydiscoverthatoneswingjustisn’tenough.Note:Topreventdamagetothetree,inspecttheropeorhardwareconnectionsperiodically.Youmayhavetomoveand/orretieropeconnectionsoccasionallyifthebarkbecomeswornortheknotisstranglingthelimb.
ChoosebraidedDacron(polyester)ornylonropeforswings.Twistedropetendstobetooslipperyforagoodhandhold,whilepolypropylenebreaksdowninsunlightandmanila(thoughstrong)ispronetorotting.
PlankSwing.Atraditionalplankswingisagoodchoiceforkidsofallagesandforadultswhopreferaridethat’salittlemoreleisurelythanasingle-ropebuttonswing.Theplankseatisnothingmorethanasturdyboardwithfourholes,andnospecialhardwareisneeded.Theonlyrequirementisarelativelyleveltreelimbtoensurethattheswingtravelsinastraightline.Thelimitedsideways
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travelonaplankswingmakesitthebesttypeforhangingfromtreehousesorwhereatreelimbdoesn’textendfarfromthetrunk.
CREATINGTHESEATYoucancutandshapetheswingseatfromalmostanynicepieceoflumber,suchasatreatedorcedar2×8.A1"-thickpieceofsolidoakormaplemakesanespeciallynice,classicseat.Thesizeisuptoyou.Astandardsizeisabout6-1/2"to9-1/4"wideand24"to30"longforasinglerider,orlargerforatwo-seater.Cuttheseattolength,roundingthecornerswithajigsaw,ifdesired.Usecoarsesandpaperorarouterandroundoverbittoeasealloftheedgesoftheplanktoremovesharpnessandpreventsplinters.
Layoutanddrillfourholesthroughtheseatthatmatchthediameteroftheswingropes(5/8"-or3/4"-diameterbraidedropeisgoodforplankswings).Centertheholesabout1-1/2"to2"fromtheendsandsideedgesoftheplank,takingcaretolaythemoutasevenlyandsymmetricallyaspossible.Sandtheplanksmooth,workingupto220-gritsandpaper,thenapplyexterior-gradepolyurethane,exteriorpaint,oranothersuitableexteriorfinish,asdirected.
Whensizingtheplankseat,keepinmindthattheusableportionoftheseatislimitedtotheclearareabetweentheropeholes.
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Arunningdoublebowlinesetupwrapsaroundthetreelimb.Itcinchestightwhenpulledbutexpandseasilyasthelimbgrowsindiameter.
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Useeyeboltstotieropestoatreehousebeamortreelimb.Runtheboltsupthroughthecenterofthebeamorlimb,andsecurethetopendswithlargewashersandlocknuts.
TYINGTOTHETREEYoucanuseanumberofdifferentknotstosecureeachropeendtothetree.Aswinghitchisonereliablestandard.Anotheristhedoublebowlineknotinarunningconfiguration,alegitimateversionofasimplelassosetup.Theadvantagesoftherunningbowlinearethatyoucantieitoffwithouthavingtoreachthelimb,anditexpandswiththetree’sgrowthwithoutaffectingtheknot’sstrength(seeHowtoTieaDoubleBowlineKnot,page140).
You’llneedtwolengthsofropewithplentyofextrafortyingoffatbothends.
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Tieoneendofeachropetoalevelsectionoflimb,spacingthemthesamedistanceastheholepairsontheswingseat.Onceeachropeissecure,hangfromtheropewithyourfullweight,totesttheknotandtakeoutanyinitialstretchintheline.Theropesshouldhangstraightdownandextendontothegroundatleast2feet.
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HowtoTieaDoubleBowlineKnot
Step1:Formtwoloopsintherope,thenruntheworkinglooseendunderandupthroughthemiddleofbothloops.
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Step2:Runtheworkingendbehindandaroundthestandingsectionofrope.
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Step3:Inserttheworkingenddownthroughbothloops.
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Step4:Tightentheknotbyholdingtheworkingendinplacewhilepullinguponthestandingportion,creatingaloopneartheworkingendoftherope.
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Runtheropesunderneaththeseatplankandtiethemofftothemselvesseveralinchesabovetheseat.Thetriangularformationhelpsstabilizetheseattopreventtipping.
TYINGONTHESWINGSEATHoldingtheseatplankwithitstop(better)faceup,runtheropedownthroughaholeoneachendoftheplank,thenupthroughtheneighboringholeineachpair.Positiontheplanksoitislevelandatthedesiredheightfromtheground,basedonthesmallestswinger.Then,tieoffthelooseendofeachropetothestandingsection,usingabowlineknot(seeHowtoTieaBowlineKnot,onpage56).Adjusttheknotsasneededsothattheswingseatislevel,andgiveitatestride.Whenalllooksgood,trimtheendsoftheropes,ifnecessary,thenmelttheendswiththeflameofalighterormatch,topreventunraveling.ButtonSwing.Becauseithangsfromjustonerope,abuttonswing(ordiscswing)cantietoalmostanystrongtreelimb,whetherit’slevelornot.Asingleropealsomeansyoucanswinginanydirectionandcanspinuntilyoureyesarecrossed.Thismakesthebuttonnotonlyversatilebutalittlemoreadventurousthanaplank-styleswing.Itcanbedifficultforkidsyoungerthanfourorfive,dependingontheirarmstrength,butthey’rereallyfunforbiggerkidsandadults,especiallyiftheswinghangsfromahighlimbforalong,sweepingarc.
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MARKINGTHESEATThebestwaytomakeaperfectlyroundseatwithacleanedgeisbyusingarouterandasimplehomemadejigcalledatrammel.Youcanalsocuttheshapewithajigsaw,eitherfreehandorusingatrammel.Agoodstandardsizefortheseatisabout12"indiameter.Suitablematerialsinclude3/4"exterior(ormarine)plywood,solid1×lumber,orapieceofredwoodorcedar2×12(witha1×12or2×12,themaximumdiameterwillbearound1-1-1/4",whichisfine).
Whichevercuttingtechniqueyou’reusing,thefirststepistomarkthecenterpointoftheseatatleast6"fromthenearestedgeofthematerial(fora12"-diameterdisc).Todrawtheoutlineofthedisc,cutasmallnotchintheendofawoodslatoryardstick,thendrillasmallholeforapivotnailat6"fromthebottomofthenotch.Tapasmallfinishnailintotheholeandthenintothecenterpointoftheworkpiecetopintheslatinplace.Placethepointofapencilinthenotch,androtatetheslataroundthenailtodrawthecircle.
Markthecircularcuttinglineofthediscusingahomemadecompass.
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Cutthecirclewithajigsawortrammel-guidedrouter.
Roundtheedgesofthediscwitharouterorsandpaperforacomfortablerideandtohelppreventsplinters.
CUTTINGTHESEATCutoutthediscalongtheoutline,usingyourpreferredmethod.Ifyou’reusingarouterandtrammel,it’sagoodideatorough-cuttheshapefirstwithajigsaw(preferably)oracircularsaw,stayingabout1/8"outsideofthecuttingline.Thencleanupthecutwiththerouter.Cuttingoffmostofthewastesavesconsiderablewearonexpensiverouterbits.
Atrammelisessentiallyalargeversionofthewood-slatcompass,withtherouter(insteadofapencil)fixedtotheoutsideend.Tomakeatrammel,cutastripofhardboardorthinplywoodtoroughlythesamewidthasyourrouter’sbase.Drillaclearanceholethroughtheboardfortherouterbit,andfastenthetrammeltothebasewithmachineboltssetintocountersunkpilotholes(you
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usuallyhavetoremovetherouter’splasticbaseplatefirst).Nailthetrammeltotheworkpiececenterpoint,aswiththecompass,androtatetherouteraroundthedisctocompletethecut.It’sbesttomakethecutinseveralpassesofabout1/8"deepeach.
Tocutoutthediscwithajigsaw,simplydoitfreehandorattachthesaw’sfoot(base)toatrammelwithdouble-sticktape.Oncethedisciscut,smoothanyroughspotsorsawmarkswitharouterorcoarsesandpaperandasandingblock.
COMPLETINGTHESEATDrillaholefortheropethroughthecenterofthedisc,usingthefinishnailholetopilotthebit.Theholeshouldbejustbigenoughforthreadingtheropethrough.Agoodchoiceofropeforabuttonswingis5/8"or3/4"braidednylonorDacron.NylonismorelikelytostretchthanDacronbutmaybeeasiertofind.Eithertypeshouldhaveaworkingloadofatleastseveralhundredpounds.
Roundtheoutsideedgesonbothsidesofthedisc,usingarouterandroundoverbitorsandpaper.Roundtheedgesoftheropeholeslightlytopreventunnecessarywearontherope.Sandallsurfacesofthediscsmooth,thenapplyexterior-gradepolyurethaneorotherexteriorfinish.
HANGINGTHESWINGTietheropetoastouttreelimbusingaswinghitch,arunningdoublebowlineknot(seepage140),orotherappropriateknot,oruseaneyebolttoattachtoatreehousebeam,asshownonpage139.Makesuretheswingwillhaveplentyofclearancefromthetreetrunkandotherobstructions,keepinginmindtheuniversaltraveloftheswing.
Hangontheropetotakeoutanyinitialslackorstretch.Threadthelooseendoftheropethroughtheholeinthedisc,andtieofftheendunderneaththediscwithanAshleyStopperKnot,asshownbelow.Createdbythefamedknotsman,CliffordAshley,theknothasabroadflattopthat’sperfectforbuttonswings.Meltthecutendoftheropewithalighterormatchtopreventfraying.
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HowtoTieanAshleyStopperKnot
Step1:Createasingleloopneartheworking(loose)endoftherope,thenruntheworkingendthroughtheloop,creatingasecondloop.
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Step2:Pullthefirstloopupthroughthesecondloop.
Step3:Runtheworkingendoverthefirstloopandthenunderitself,soit’satthebackoftheknot.
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Step4:Feedtheworkingendthroughthebackofthefirstloop.Pulltheworkingendandstandingportionoftheropetotightentheknot.“Dress”theknotsoitiscompactandformsaflatsurfaceoppositetheworkingend.
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ZipLineAziplineisasimplecontraptionconsistingofaseatorhandlehangingfromaheavy-dutypulleythatissuspendedfromasteelcable.Thecableistiedbetweenapairoftrees,posts,orothersturdystructuresyoucanfindorbuild—aslongasoneishigherthantheother.Ifyou’restartingthecablefromatreehouseorplatform,makesureanyframingthattheeyeboltattachestoisrocksolid.
Aziplinecanbeslow,gentle,andcloseenoughtothegroundtopushoffandstopyourselfwithyourfeet.Or,itcanbeveryhighandveryfast,carryingyoudownmountainsidesoracrosslakes,rivers,andcanyons.Thelongestknownziplineis1.2miles,dropsalmost1,000feet,andreachesspeedsofupto100milesperhour.These“extreme”ziplinesshouldbecreatedbyprofessionalsonlyandusedunderthesupervisionofaqualifiedprofessional.
Youcancreateasmaller,saferversionofthatmind-bendingrideinyourownbackyardwithalengthofsteelcable,somelongeyebolts,andaziplinekitwithaheavy-dutytandempulley.Donotusethestandardpulleyssoldathardwarestoresforziplines—they’renotmeantforthisapplication.Similarly,useonlybraidedcable(usuallystainlesssteel)thathasbeenspecificallyselectedandpackagedforazipline.You’llfindanumberofpurveyorsofziplineproductsontheInternet(seeResources,page220).
Tools&MaterialsHeavy-duty,exterior-ratedeyebolts,washers&nuts(2)Metalthimblesforcable(6)StainlesssteelcableclampsDiscardedtire3/4"turnbuckleMulchRubbermalletDrillwithspadebits&bitextenderZiplinekitEye&earprotectionWorkgloves
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Aziplineisabraidedmetalcablestretchedfromapointofaccesstoapointoflowerelevation.Addapulleyandatowbarorhandlebarsandletthejoyridesstart.
SafetyTipMinimumsafetyequipmentwhenusingaziplineincludesaharnessandhelmet.Useothersafetyequipment(shoulder-andknee-pads,etc.)asrequired.
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ZipLineRequirementsForagoodride,maketheziplineatleast75ft.long,withaminimumslopeoffivefeet.Treesmustbeheathyandatleast10"indiameter.Ifyou’restartingatatreehouseorplatform,reinforcetheframingwithadditionalfastenersormetalbrackets.
Testtherunbeforedrillingtheholes.Wrapthecablearoundthetrees,secureitwithcableclampsandholditinpositionatthelevelwheretheeyeboltwillbeattachedwithwoodclampsorlargenails.Thentieaheavysandbagtothehandlesoit’shangingwhereapersonwouldbeandsenditdownthecable.Ifitseemstoosloworfast,moveoneendofthecabletocompensate.Watchforobstaclesinthepathofthecable,andcutbranchesbackfourfeetonallsides.
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Akitandafewbasictoolsareallyouneedtoinstallazipline.Besuretobuyheavy-dutystainlesssteelorgalvanizedfittings(kitsareavailablefromonlinesuppliers).
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Lighter-dutyziplinekitsmadeforusebychildrenaresoldinrelativelyinexpensivekits.Theirmaximumdistancestraveledrangefrom30to90ft.
Ahigh-adventureziplinerequiresaveryunusualbackyardwithtalltreesandamplespace,asshownhere.
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Butsettingupaslightlytamerrunfromyourdecktotheoldmapletreeisagreatwayforactivepeopleofallagestolearnanddevelopskills.
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HowtoInstallaZipLine
Drillaholethroughthecenterofeachtree(highendandlowend)foraneyebolt.Theholesshouldbethesamediameterastheeyeboltshaft.You’llneedtouseanextra-longspadebitorabitextendertoclearatreetrunk,whichshouldbeatleast10"indiameter.
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Insertaneyebolt(stainlesssteelortriple-dippedgalvanized)throughtheguideholeandthensecureittothetreewithawidewasher,suchasafenderwasher,andanut.Theendofthebolt(inset)shouldprotrude1to2"pastthetree.Inspectthenutperiodicallytomakesureitisstilltight.
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Attachaturnbuckletotheeyeboltonthelowendofthecablerun.Theturnbuckleshouldbesizedandratedforthecablesize,thetotalspanandthemaximumweightloadofyourzipline.
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Loopthecable(useonlybraided,stainlesssteelcableratedforziplineusage)throughtheeyeboltonthehighside,placeametalthimbleattheloop,thensecureitinplacewiththreecableclamps.
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Threadthelooseendofthecablethroughanon-steel-beltedcartiretoserveasasafetybumperatthelowendoftherun.Drilltwoholestopassthecablethroughthecenterofthetire,thendrillseveralholesinthebottomofthetirefordrainage.Analternativeoptionistoinstallabungeebrakesoldbyziplinesuppliers.
Securethecabletotheturnbuckleatthelowend.Theturnbuckleshouldbeloosenedalmostallthewaysoyoucantightenthecable.Pullthecablethroughtheturnbuckleastightlyasyoucan,andthenlockitinplacewiththreecableclamps.Testthetensioninthecable,andtightentheturnbuckleasneeded.
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Clipthehandleortrolleyontothecableaccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructionsandtestoutthezipline,takingcaretofollowallsafetyprecautions.
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Ziplinesandlaunchingplatformsareperfectadditionstotreehouses,providedthepropersafetyequipmentisavailable.Launchingplatformsshouldnotbeconsideredplayareas,andthelaunchingplatformshouldbealmostfullyenclosedbya36"code-compliantrailingandbalusters.
ZIPLINEPLATFORMSZiplinesneedanelevatedplatformforstartingtheride.Atreehousecanbeidealforthis,offeringplentyofelevationformostziplines,aswellasanice,solidbaseforlaunching.Perhapsmostimportantly,ifyou’reupinthetreehousehavingfunwhenMomcallsyouinfordinnerorbedtime,atleastyoucanendyourplayonahighnote,withatriumphantlastridedownthezipline.Surebeatstrudgingdowntheladdergrumblingabouthowunfairitisthatyouhavetoeatandsleep.
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Ifitisn’tfeasibletouseyourtreehouseasalaunchingplatform,youcansimplybuildastandaloneplatformdesignedspecificallyforthispurpose.Thiscanbequitesmall—say,3×3feet—andcanhangfromatreeorfromoneormoresupportposts.
Inanycase,it’simportanttonotethatalaunchingplatformshouldnotbedesignedorusedasageneralplayarea.Foronething,ithasafairlylargeopeningwithoutasafetyrailing,andsecond,theridershouldnotbedistractedashepreparesforthelaunch,lestheforgettogripthetrolleybarwithbothhands,forexample.Thefirstruleofthelaunchingplatformmustbe:Onepersonatatimeontheplatform.Withagroupofkidscrowdingarounditchingtotakearide,onecanonlyimaginethekindsofhazardstheymightinvent.
BUILDINGASTANDALONEPLATFORMAstandalonelaunchingplatformcanemployanyoftheplatformdesignelementsandanchoringtechniquesdiscussedinthetreehousebuildingtechniquessection(pages60–83).Asimpleversionusesasaddledesigninwhichtheplatformjoistsanchortoeithersideofthetree,withtwokneebracesdoingthesameafewfeetbelow.
Dependingonthesizeofthehosttree,theplatformdeckcanbearound3to4feetwideand3to4feetdeep.Itshouldhavea36"-highrailingonthesides,withbalustersspacedjustunder4"apart.Theweightloadsareprettyminimalhere,soa2×6framewitha2×4railingissuitableforasmallplatformlikethis.
Foraccesstotheplatform,apermanentlyattachedladder,suchasthedouble-rungandflat-rungstylesshownonpages126through128,isagoodoptionthat’srelativelyeasytobuild.Theaccessladdershouldapproachfromthesideandincludeasafetyrailacrossthetopoftheopening.Theheightoftheplatformisuptoyou,butitmustprovideasufficientdropinelevationforagoodride;agoodrule-of-thumbdictatesatleasta75-footrunanda5-footdropinelevation.
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LaunchingfromaTreehouseWiththerightsetup,anyopen-deckportionofatreehousecanbedesignedoradaptedtoserveasalaunchingarea,butthereareafewimportantfactorstoconsider.First,theremustbeaclearpathfortravelalongtheline;youdon’twantthecablecrossingovertrafficroutesorcommonareasofthetreehouse.Second,thecable’sanchorpointshouldbewithin3to4feetofthedrop-offedgeoftheplatform.Thecable’ssagismostpronouncedatthebeginningoftherun;iftheanchorpointistoofarback,theridermightbumpalongtheplatformonthewayout.Finally,theplatformshouldbeseparatedfromthecommon/playareasofthetreehouse.Thisisbestachievedwithalatchedsafetygatethatbarsaccesstolittlekidsandhelpsolderkidsadheretothe“onepersonatatime”rule.
Often,thebestplanistolocatethelaunchingplatforminarelativelyremotepartofthetreehousestructure,suchasbehindthehouseoratthefarcornerofadeck.Anotheroptionistoaddabump-outontothemainplatformordeckareausingcantileveredjoistsoradditionalkneebracesandothersupportmembersasneeded.Itisimportantthatthepathisclearalongtherouteoftheline,thatthecable’sanchorpointiswithin3to4feetoftheedgeoftheplatform,andthattheplatformbeseparatedfromthecommonareaofthetreehousewithasafetygateorotherbarrier.
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RockClimbingWallThereseemstobesomethingDarwinianinakid’sinnatedesireandabilitytoclimb.Andthey’lluseanythingto“getoffthedeck,”asrockclimberssay.Thismakesaclimbingwallagoodbetforatreehouseaccessory.Climbingwallsbuildmusclesandconfidenceandareprobablythemostfunofallmodesofaccessforgettingupintoatreehouse.
Aclimbingwalliseasytobuild,butittakestherightequipmenttomakesureit’ssafe,versatile,andsuitablefortheresidentclimbers.Whilethewallstructureisasimpleassemblyofframinglumberandpaintedplywood,theholds—theroughlytextured,contouredpiecesusedforclimbing—shouldbechosencarefullytoaccommodatetheclimbers’agesandabilities.Rockclimbingequipmentmanufacturersmakethiseasybyofferingavarietyofsetsofholdsinarangeofsizesandshapes.
TheclimbingholdsaresecuredtothewallwithboltsandT-nuts,whichaffixthemselvestothebacksideoftheplywood,sothey’realwaystherewhenit’stimetochangetheclimbingroute.Thereinliestheuniquebenefitofclimbingwalls:Youcaneasilyrearrangetheholdstocreatenewroutesatanytime.Thewall’sversatilitydependsonafewfactors:theoverallsizeofthewall,thenumberofholes(andT-nuts)intheplywood,andthenumberofholdsyouhavetoworkwith.
Fortoddlersandelementary-school-agedclimbers,plantopurchaseabout32holdsper4×8-footsectionofwall.Olderclimberscandowellwithfewerholds—about18to24holdsper4×8-footsection.It’swellworthittobuyagoodsetupfronttomakethewallbothversatileandfuntouse.Asetof32holdswithhardwarecostsaround$80to$120.It’salsorecommendedthatyoubuyfromalegitimaterockclimbinggearsupplier,ratherthanatoycompany,whichmighthavecheapplasticholdsthataren’tsturdyanddon’tsimulatethefeelofrealrock.
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Rockwallsaregreatskill-buildersforclimbersofanyage.Withasizeablewallandplentyofholds,youhavetheflexibilitytochangetheroutesperiodicallytokeepthingsinterestingandchallenging.
Avarietypackofholds—withplentyofmedium-andlarge-sizepieces—isidealforatreehouserockwall.Makesuretheholdsandallhardwareareratedforoutdooruse.
FRAMINGTHEWALLTobuildasimpleverticalwallthat’sattachedtothegroundatthebottomandthe
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treehousestructureatthetop,startbyconstructinga2×4framesizedtomatchtheoveralldimensionsofthewall.Cuttheoutsidestudsthefulllengthofthewallminus3",thencutatopandbottomplatetofastentothestuds.Assembletheframewith3"deckscrewsor16dgalvanizedcommonnails.Installinteriorstudsbetweentheplates,spacingthem16"oncenter.Ifthewalliswiderthanone4×8sheetofplywood,makesurethere’sastudcenteredbehindeveryplywoodseam.
TEXTURINGTHESURFACEPrimeeachpanelof3/4"exterior-gradeplywoodonallsurfaces,usinganexterior-gradeprimer.Paintthefrontfacesofthepanels(whichshouldbethe“A,”orbetter,side)withexteriorhousepaintmixedwithatexturematerial,orusenon-slipflooringpaint.Creatingatexturedsurfaceoffersseveraladvantages:itmakesthewallsurfacelessslippery,tofacilitateclimbing;ithelpstopreventtheholdsfromturningunderforce—acommonproblemwithsomesingle-boltholds;and,perhapsmostimportantly,itkeepstheholdsfromstickingtothepaint.
Youcancreatethetexturedsurfacebysimplyaddingatexturematerial,suchasSharkGrip,toexteriorhousepaint,oruseanexteriorflooringpaintdesignedforpatiosandpoolsurrounds,suchasFloor-Tex.Applytheproductsfollowingthemanufacturer’sdirections.Painttheedgesandbackfacesofthepanelswithordinaryexteriorhousepaint.
Buildthewallframewithpressure-treated2×4s.Largeorfreestandingwallsmightrequirelargerframingmembers.
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Atextureadditiveturnsordinaryhousepaintintoahighlyworkabletexturepaint.Lightweight,low-densitymaterials,suchaspolymerbeads,areeasytoworkwithbecausetheyremainsuspendedinthepaint;sandandotherheavymaterialstendtosink,requiringfrequentmixing.
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Offsettingtheholesfortheclimbingholdsby4"betweenrowsgivesyouthebestdistributionoverthewallarea.Keepingtheholes2"fromthesideedgesensurestheT-nutswillbeclearofthewallframing.
HammertheT-nutsintobackofthewallpanel(s).Makesurethatthenutsareperfectlyflatsothatthethreadedsleevesareproperlyalignedforthebolts.
DRILLINGTHEHARDWAREHOLESLayouttheholepatternontothefrontfacesofthepanel(s),asshownhere.Afull4×8-footpanelgets72holes.Drilleachholewitha7/16"spadeortwistbit,keepingthebitstraightanddrillingfromthefrontfaceofthepaneltopreventtearoutontheexposedsurface.Ifdesired,primeand/orpainttheholeinteriorsforaddedmoistureprotection.
INSTALLINGTHET-NUTSInstalltheT-nutsontothebackfaceofthepanel(s),usingahammer.Centereachnutoverahole,withthenut’ssleevefacingintothehole.Carefullyhammerthenut,drivingthepointedtipsintotheplywood,untiltherearflangeofthenutisflushwiththeplywoodsurface.Everyholeinthepanel(s)shouldgetanut.Note:Topreventcorrosion,besuretouseexterior-gradenutsandbolts.Most
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climbingwallsuppliersofferstainlesssteelboltsandzinc-platedT-nuts—agoodcombinationforlong-termstrengthandcorrosionresistance.
COMPLETINGTHEWALLFastenthepanel(s)tothe2×4framewith15/8"deckscrewsdrivenevery6"alongtheedgesandevery8"inthefieldofthesheet.Countersinkthescrewheadsslightlybelowthesurfaceoftheplywood.Ifthewoodsplintersaroundtheheads,drillcountersunkpilotholesforthescrews.Toautomaticallysquareuptheframeasyouwork,startatonecornerofthewall,aligningtheplywoodwiththetwoadjacentedgesoftheframe.Ifyou’reusingmorethanonepanel,makesurethejointsbetweenpanelsaretightandflush,withnogapsorraisededges.
Toinstallthewallontothetreehouse,firstdigasmalltrenchunderthewalllocation,about4"deep.Fillthetrenchwithgravel,thenlevelandcompactitfirmly.Cutabasefromapressure-treated4×4tomatchthewidthofthewall.Drillthree3/8"holesthroughthebase.Levelthebaseatopthegravel.Measuretoconfirmthatthewallwillbeflushwithorslightlybelowthetopofthetreehouseplatformwheninstalled.Anchorthebasetothegroundwith12"lengthsof#4rebar.
Setthewallontopofthebase.Anchorthetopendofthewalltotheplatformstructurewith3/8"carriageboltsormachineboltsandwashers.Theboltheadsshouldbeonthefrontfaceofthewallandshouldbecountersunkintothewoodifthey’renotrounded.Fastenthebottomendofthewalltothe4×4basewith4"lagscrews.
Arrangetheholdsasdesired,securingthemtotheT-nutswith3/8"stainlesssteelbolts(mosthaveAllenheads).Torquetheboltsasspecifiedbytheholdmanufacturer.
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Bolttheholdstothewall,makingsurethey’retightandproperlypositioned.Nowit’stime
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WaterCannonThisiswithoutquestionthemostfunyoucanhavewithpressurizedwater.Andafterputtinginanumberofweekendsonthetreehouseitself,you’llbegladtoknowthatyoucaneasilycreatethiscannoninanhour,usingpartsthatcostlessthan$15atyourlocalhomecenter.Thatmeansyoucanstarttheprojectduringthecoolhoursofasummermorningandhavethecannoninstalledandreadyforbattleinthemiddayheat.
Thecannonshownhereismadewith3/4"PVCpipeandfittings.AlloftheunthreadedconnectionsaregluedwithPVCcement(solventglue).Ifyou’rehandywithatorch,youcouldcreateasimilarversionusingcopperpipe.Onceassembled,thecannonmountsontoaswivelingcasterscrewedintoapostorthetopofatreehouserailing.
Thenozzleattheendofthecannonbarrelisanordinarystraight-stylegardennozzle,thetypethatyoutwisttoturnonthewaterandadjustthespray.Inthiscase,it’sbesttoleavethenozzleopenandusetheballvalvelocatedonthecannon’shandletocontrolthewaterflow.Nozzlesareavailableinafewdifferentstyles.Standardtwisttypesofferthemostadjustmentcapabilityandplentyofpoweratfullconcentration,whilejet-stylenozzlesdeliverahighlyconcentratedstreamandthelongestrange(butthismightbeoverkillformostapplications).
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Mantheramparts(andwaterthelawnwhileyou’reatit)!Thiswatercannonhasitsownshutoffvalveandnozzlecontrol,soyou’llneverhavetoleavethecastleunguardedtoreloadorretool.
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Acoil-typegardenhoseprovidesthebestmaneuverabilityatthecannonendofthewaterline.Youcanattachashortcoilhosetoastandardgardenhose,leavingplentyofslackinthecoilforeasymovement.
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Thecannonisaseasytobuildasitisfuntouse.
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BuyingthePartsAwell-stockedhomecenterorhardwarestoreshouldhaveallofthepartsyouneed,butplantospendafewminutesintheplumbingsectionsortingthroughthevariousboxesfortherightfittings.Herearethesuppliesneededtobuildthecannonasshown;allpartsarefor3/4"PVCpipe:
36linearinchesof3/4"pipe1—Tfittingwiththreadeddowntube1—threadedplug(threadedendmustbeenclosed)1—Tfitting(standard;allunthreadedtubes)2—90-degreeelbowfittings2—pipetomalethreadedfittings1—PVCballvalvewithfemalethreadedends1—pipetohosefitting(3/4"malethreadedend;femalethreadedendforstandard1/2"hose)
1—threaded(female)cap1—pipetohosefitting(3/4"unthreadedfemaleend;malethreadedendforstandard1/2"hoseend)
PVCprimerPVCcement(schedule40)1—galvanizedswivelcasterwith1-7/8"or2"wheel(needatleast1-1/8"ofspaceforwheelwidth,toaccommodateTfitting)
1—gardenhosenozzle
ASSEMBLINGTHECANNONTobuildthecannon,cuttwolengthsofpipeat11"and6"forthelongandshortbarrelpieces.Cutthepipewithahacksaw,tubingcutter,ormitersaw.Ajigsawwithafine-toothbladeworkswell,too.Cleanthecutends.Ontooneendofthelongbarrelpiece,primeandsolvent-glueapipetohosefittingwitha1/2"malethreadedend.
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Solvent-gluingplasticpipeiseasy:Brushprimerontothematingparts,thenbrushonthecement.Quicklyfitthepiecestogether,givingthema1/4-turntospreadtheglue,andholdfirmlyfor30seconds.Thedirectionsonthecantellyouexactlywhattodo—justbesuretofollowthemcarefully.
Theassembledcannon.Youcansettheangleofthehandlestosuittheinstallationandthegunner’sposition.Drilltheholeforthecasteraxlebolt(inset),makingsuretheupperportionoftheplugwillmaintainawatertightseal.
GluetheotherendofthelongbarreltoaTfittingwithathreadeddowntube,thengluetheshortbarreltotheoppositeunthreadedtubeoftheT.Thethreaded
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tubeendoftheTiswherethecannonmountstothecaster,viaaholeyouwilldrillthroughtheT.TopreventwaterfromescapingthroughtheTandthehole,capofftheTendwithathreadedmalepluggluedinplaceandthreadedinasfaraspossible.
Next,glueastandardTtothebareendoftheshortbarrelsothetwotoptubesarelevel.Cuttwolengthsofpipeat4",andgluethesetotheT.Attheendofeach4"piece,glueanelbowthatanglesdownandbackabout20degreesfromvertical,orasdesired.Totheopenendsoftheelbows,gluetwo5-1/2"lengthsofpipetocreatethehandles.Then,glueonapipetomalethreadedfitting.Settheassemblyasidefortwohours(orasdirected)toletthesolventgluecure.
Atthisstage,thecannonisperfectlysymmetrical,andtheremainingfittingsarescrewedon.Thismeansyoucanalwayschangewhichsidereceivesthevalveandhose.Ontooneofthemalethreadedends,screwaPVCballvalve,followedbyathreadedpipetohosefitting(1/2"maleendscrewsintovalve;3/4"femaleendreceivesgardenhose).Ontheotherhandle’sfitting,screwathreadedcap.Youcanremovethiscaptodrainthehandle,asdesired.Tofacilitatetighteningandpreventleaks,useTeflontapeforallthreadedconnections(exceptthegluedplugonthebarrelT).
INSTALLINGTHECANNONTomountthecannon,removethewheelfromthecaster’saxlebolt.CarefullydrillaholethroughtheTonthecannonbarrel,drillingallthewaythroughthefittingandplugandkeepingtheholeclosetothebottomendoftheT—youwanttoleaveplentyofthreadedareatoensureawatertightsealabovethehole.Theholeshouldbejustlargeenoughtofittheaxlebolt.Fastenthecasterupsidedownontothetreehouserailing,apost,orotheranchorpoint,usingdeckscrews.Fittheaxleboltthroughthecasterarms—withthecannonTinthemiddle—andsecureitwiththenut.
Attachacoil-typeorothergardenhosetothehandle,andrunthewaterfullblastforafewsecondstoflushoutanyplasticdebris.Addthenozzle,andyou’rereadytodefendthefortress!
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SpeakingTubeFortheaveragetreehousedweller,aspeakingtubeisaspecialtelephoneusefulforspies,pirates,andclubhousetopbrass.Bystandarddefinition,aspeakingtubeisa19th-centuryintercomsystemthatusespipestotransmitsoundoverrelativelylongdistances.TheywereusedinVictorianhomestotalkwithvisitorsatthefrontdoorandtosummonservantsfromdistantrooms.Andkidswillliketoknowthatspeakingtubeshavelongbeenimportantforcommunicationonnavalships,wheresomearestillinusetoday.
Youcangetasenseoftheeffectivenessofspeakingtubesbywhisperingbackandforththroughalongpipeatthehomecenterorthroughagardenhoseathome.Eventheslightestmurmurcanbeclearlyheardacrossthelongestpipe.Thisisbecausesoundtravelsonair,whichischanneledthroughthepipedirectlyfromthespeakertothelistener,withoutbeingdispersedanddissipatingintotheopen.
Constructingaspeakingtubeisverysimple,andyoucanuseavarietyofpipeortubematerials—reallyanythingthatmovesairefficiently.Here,you’llseehowtoinstallanundergroundspeakingtubemadeofPVCpipeandlearnaboutaverticalversionmadewithcopperpipe.PVCpipealsoworksjustaswellascopperforanabovegroundtube.Forlongundergroundruns,youmightprefertouseflexiblePEtubingfortheundergroundportionandconstructtheexposedendswithrigidPVCorcopperpipeandfittings.Whatevertubingyouuse,it’sagoodideatotestoutthematerialandtheoveralltubedesignbeforeinstallingorburyinganyparts.
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Aspeakingtubeisafail-safecommunicationdevicefortransmittingtop-secretinformationorfreshknock-knockjokes.Youmayhavetriedoneoftheseatapublicplayground,butyourownversionislikelytoworkmuchbetter.
UNDERGROUNDSPEAKINGTUBEUndergroundtubesseemespeciallymagicalbecauseyoudon’tseeanyofthetubingconnectingthevisibletalking/listeninguprightsattheends.Theburiedpipingcanrununderanentireplayareaandmaketurnsasneededalongtheway.Anundergroundtubecanalsobeconnectedtoaverticaltubetosendmessagesbetweenatreehouseandapointonthegroundsomedistanceaway.
PLANNINGTHEPIPEROUTEAspeakingtubecanworkwellat50yardsorevenfartherbetweentheends.That’sprobablyalotmorethanyouneed—especiallywhenyouconsiderthatanundergroundtuberequirestrenching.Butit’susefulinformationifyou’replanningtomakelongdistancecalls.Theimportantthingistotestthesystembeforediggingthetrench.Fortunately,PVCpipeischeapenoughthatyoucanbuyacoupleofextralengthstotestalongertube,evenifyouendupnotusingit.
Toplanyourtuberoute,layoutlengthsof1"rigidPVCpipeabovethe
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intendedundergroundpath,usingPVCcouplingstojointhepieces.Usea45°or90°elbowtomaketurns,asneeded.Justkeepinmindthatthemoreefficientlytheairflowsthroughthepipes,thebetterthesoundwillbeatthereceivingend.Cutthepipestolengthasneeded,usingatubingcutter,hacksaw,orjigsawwithafine-toothblade.
Layouttheundergroundsectionsofpipingtoplanthefinalroutebeforetestingthesystem.
ASSEMBLINGTHEENDSEachendoftheburiedportionofthespeakingtubefeedsintoanuprightsectionthatincludestheopenendforlisteningorspeakinginto.Thesecanbeanyheightyoulike.Tocreateeachupright,dry-fit(noglue)a90°elbowontotheendoftheundergroundpipesotheopenendoftheelbowispointingstraightup.Addaverticalsectionofpipe,followedbyanother90°elbowanda1-1/2"orlargerreducerfitting.Thereducerservesasthemouthpiece,theequivalentofthecone-shaped“trumpet”endfoundontraditionalspeakingtubes.
Theuprightsshouldbesecuredtosomekindofrigidstructure,suchasatree,atreehousesupportpost,orashort4×4postinstalledforthispurpose.Installashortpostbysettingitintoaholeandbackfillingaroundthepostwithtamped
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layersofsoilandcompactiblegravel.Withbothuprightsdry-assembled,givethespeakingtubeatestrun.
TheendofthetubeismadewithaPVCreducingfitting.Youcanembellishthiswithalargercone-shapeddevice,whichmayenhancethesoundsomewhatbutisnotnecessary.
ASSEMBLINGTHEPIPEWhenalllooksgood,digthetrenchfortheundergroundpipe,andpermanentlyinstallanysupportpostsfortheuprights.Besureto“callbeforeyoudig,”soyouknowforsuretherearen’tanyutilitylinesintheinstallationarea.Digthepipetrenchabout6"deepinanunsoddedplayareaor9"to12"deepunderalawn.
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AssembletheundergroundpiperunusingPVCprimerandcement(solventglue),asdirectedbythemanufacturer.Thebasicgluingprocessistobrushprimerontothematingparts,thenbrushonacoatingofcement.Quicklyfitthepiecestogether,givingthematwisttospreadtheglue,andholdthepiecesfirmlyfor30seconds.Makesurethe90°elbowsattheendsoftheundergroundsectionarepointingstraightup.
Laythecompletedpipeintothetrench.Gluetogetherthepiecesoftheuprights,startingwiththestraightpipesleadingfromtheundergroundelbowsandfinishingwiththereducingfittings.Lettheentirepipeassemblyrestundisturbedforatleasttwohours,orasdirected.
Jointhetubepartswithsolventglue.Thegluesetsupin30seconds,butthejointsshouldn’tbestressedfortwohours.
COMPLETINGTHETUBEAfterthesolventgluehascured,laythepipeintothetrench.Securetheuprightstotheirsupportswithmetalorplasticpipestrapsanddeckscrews.Backfillthetrenchwiththedisplacedsoil,tampitflat,andreplacethesodorgroundcover,asapplicable.Tip:Topreventkidsfromdroppingstuffdownintothetube’sends,cutapiece
ofhardwareclothtofitinsidethereducer,securingitwithalittlecaulkorepoxy.Anythingdroppedintothepipewillreducethetube’seffectiveness,andextricatingsomethingvaluablerequiresdiggingupandcuttingintothetubing.
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PVCpipeisflexibleandstrong,butitisbreakable.Securetheuprightswithpipestrapstopreventanydamage.
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VerticalSpeakingTubeFormanytreehouses,aspeakingtubegoingstraightupalongthetreeorsupportpostandintothehouseisjustthething—idealfordeliveringsecretpasswordsfortreehouseaccessorreportingnewsbetweenthehouseandtheground(orbetweenthecrow’snestandthedeck,thecontroltowerandthetarmac,etc.).Theverticaltubeiscraftedwithcopperpipeandfittings,mostlybecausecopperlooksgoodandbecausetheoverallrunisshortenoughtomakethecostreasonable.YoucanbuildasimilartubelessexpensivelywithPVCorotherplasticplumbingparts.
Averticaldesigncanfollowjustaboutanypath,butamoredirectroutetendstoyieldbettersoundquality.Use45°or90°elbowfittingstomaketurns,followingthesupportingstructure.Plantosupportthepipingeveryfewfeet.Torunthetubeupintothetreehouse,drilla7/8"-or1"-dia.holethroughtheplatform,usingaholesaworspadebit.
Agoodsizeofpipeforaspeakingtubeis3/4",althoughlargerpipealsoworks.Cutthestraightlengthsofpipefortherun,startingatoneendoftheplannedroute.Securethepipetosupports,suchasthetreehouseframingorsupportposts,usingcopperpipestrappingandshortdeckscrews.
Tomaketurns,useelbowsandotherfittingsintherun.Forthisapplication,thepipingdoesn’thavetobewatertight,soyoucanglueonthefittingswithasmallamountofmetalepoxyorotheradhesive,orsolderthejointsjustenoughtoholdthemtogether.
Finisheachendofthespeakingtubewitha90°elbow,ashorthorizontalpipe,andareducerfitting,allgluedorsolderedinplace.Anysizeofreducerwillwork,butbiggerisbetter;forexample,a2"-to-3/4"reducerisagoodsizethat’scommonlyavailable.
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SlidesAsanelevatedperchandplaystructure,atreehouseforyoungkidsprettymuchhastohaveaslide.Thisleavesyouwithtwooptions:buyingaplasticprefabslideorbuildingyourownwithlumberand(thesecretingredient)plasticlaminate.That’sright,thecountertopmaterial.Butwe’llgettothosedetailslater.
Prefabslidescomeinawiderangeofsizesandshapes,fromstraightwavestocurlicue“turbo”tubes.Theyalsorangewidelyinprice,fromsortofpriceytoturboexpensive.Largeorelaboratemodelsmayrequireassembly,butotherwiseallyouhavetodoisanchortheslideatthetopandbottomandaddamid-spansupport,ifapplicable.
Aslideisanidealaccessoryforanykids’treehousethat’sclosetotheground.Allslidesshouldhaveasafetyrailthatcontinuesthelineoftherailingacrosstheopeningatthetopoftheslide.
DIYSLIDEThereareafewreasonsyoumightpreferahomemadedesign.First,DIYslidescanbeextraslipperyandfast.That’swhatslidesarefor,right?Manyplastic
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slidescreatetoomuchfrictionforasmooth,swiftglide.Second,whileahomemadeslidecontainssomeplastic,itdoesn’thavetolooklikeamonstroustoyinaglaringprimarycolor,asdomostprefabmodels.Thesidesarepaintedredwood,andtheslidesurfacecanbeany(light)coloryouchoosefromyourlaminatesupplier.Andfinally,youmightbetemptedtobuildaslidesimplybecauseyoucan,andbecauseitcertainlywillbetheonlyonelikeitontheblock.
FITTINGTHESTRINGERSThestringersarethetwostructuralsidesoftheslide,whichalsocreatethesidewallstopreventslidersfrommakinganearlydismount.Foraslidethat’sroughly8feetlong,2×8redwoodorcedarstringers(at10feetlong)areagoodoption.Besuretouselumberthat’ssmoothonallsidesandedges.Intermsofgrade,“all-heart”redwoodwilllastlongerintheweatherthanlowergrades.You’llstartbycustom-cuttingonestringertofittheinstallation,thenusethecutpieceasapatterntomarkandcuttheremainingstringersothetwoareidentical.
Holdoneofthestringerboardsinplacesoitspansfromthetreehouseplatform(thelaunchingarea)totheground(thelandingarea).Thestandardslopeforslidesisabout30degrees,andyoucanadjustthisasdesired.Thesteepertheslope,thefastertheslide.Justkeepinmindthatthisslidedoesn’tleveloutatthebottomlikemostplaygroundslides,sobecarefulnottomakeittoofast.
Markthebottomedgeoftheboardatbothendsfortheinitialcutstofitthemtotheplatformandground.You’llprobablycutmorethanonceforagoodfit.Cuttheendswithacircularsaworjigsaw.Testthefitandfine-tunethecutsasneeded.Thetopendsofthestringersarenotchedtofitovertheendoftheplatform(seephotoon160).Thebottomendhasalevelcutthatfollowsthegroundandaplumbendcutthat’sperpendiculartothelevelcut.
Shapethetopcornersofthestringerwith1"-radiusroundovers,orasdesired.Makethecutswithajigsaworhandsaw,andsandthemsmooth.Laythecutstringerovertheremainingboardandtransferallofthecutsandroundovers,thencuttheremainingstringer.
CREATINGTHESLIDESURFACETheslidesurfaceis3/4"ACXplywoodcoveredonitstopfacewithplasticlaminate(a.k.a.Formica).Laminatesheetsarecommonlyavailableinwidthsof3to5feetandlengthsof6to12feet.Formostslides,a3-foot-widepieceismorethanenough.Besuretochoose“standard”laminatedesignedforcountertops;thinnerVT(orvertical-grade)laminateisn’tasdurable.Alsobe
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suretoselectalightcolortoreflectheat.Astandardtexturedsurfaceispreferabletoahigh-glosssurface.
Youcanbuildtheslidesurfaceinafewdifferentways.Oneistorough-cuttheplywoodtosize,applythelaminate,thentrimtheedgesofboththeplywoodandlaminatewithasaw(cuttingfromthebacksideoftheplywood).Anotheristocutbothmaterialstothefinishedsizebeforegluingonthelaminate.Athirdmethodfollowsthestandardprocessforcountertopsandotherfinishedsurfaces:Cuttheplywoodtosize,applythelaminatesoitoverhangsalloftheplywoodedges,thentrimthelaminateflushtotheplywoodwitharouterandflush-trimmingbit.Thismethodleavesthemostroomforerrorwhengluingthelaminate,andit’sthebestwaytocutthelaminatewithoutchippingtheedges.
Positionthefirststringerboardatapproximately30°,andmarktheendsforanotchcutatthetopandalevelcutattheground.
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Gluethelaminatetothesmoothfaceoftheplywood,usingcontactcement.Usingoldminiblindslatsorcleanwoodstripsasspacershelpsyoupositionthelaminatebeforestickingitdown.Onceit’sfullybonded,trimthelaminateflushtotheplywoodedges.
Cuttheplywoodtothedesiredlengthandwidth,usingacircularsaw.It’sagoodideatomakethefinishedslideatleast24"wide,toaccommodatethrill-seekingadults.Add1"tothedesiredwidthoftheslidesurface,because1/2"ofeachsideedgewillbecapturedinadadogrooveinthestringer.Sandthetopfaceoftheplywood(thegood“A”side)soitissmoothandflat.
Cutthelaminatesheettoamanageablesize,about3"longerandwiderthantheplywoodpiece,usingtinsnips,arouter,oracircularsaw.Applythelaminatewithwaterproofcontactcement,followingthemanufacturer’sdirections.Afterthelaminateisstuck,rollitoutcarefullywithaJ-rollertostrengthenthebondandremoveanyairbubbles.Trimtheexcesslaminatealongtheedgesoftheplywoodwiththerouter.
PREPARINGTHESTRINGERSUsingtherouterandaroundoverbit,roundoverallexposededgesofeachstringer.Thisisacriticalstepforsafetyandtopreventsplinters,soifyoudon’thavearouter,roundovertheedgeswithcoarsesandpaperandasandingblock.Don’troutorsandtheedgesofthedadoes.
Sandallsurfaces(exceptthedadoes)thoroughly,makingsureeverythingissmoothandsplinter-free,workinguptoatleast150-gritsandpaper.Tapeoffthe
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dadoes,thenprimeandpaintthestringerswithqualityexteriorprimerandhousepaint.It’sashametohideredwoodwithathickcoatofpaint,butit’snecessarytopreventweatheringthatleadstosplintersandcracks.
Smoothsurfacesareakeysafetyfeature.Roundingtheedgesofthestringershelpspreventsplinteringandmakesthemmorecomfortableforgrippingandgliding.
ASSEMBLINGTHESLIDEThebestwaytojointheslidesurfacewiththestringersisbysettingthesurface’sedgesintodadoes,whichyoucanmillwitharouterorcutwithatablesawandadadoblade.Ifyoudon’thaveoneofthesetools,youcansimplyuse2×2sunderneaththeslidesurface,fasteningthemtothestringersandplywoodwithglueandscrews.
Tomillthedadoeswitharouter,setupanedgeguideontherouterbasesothebottomofthedadowillbe1-1/2"fromthebottomedgeofeachstringer.Millthedadoeswithastraightbitsothefinishedgroovematchesthethicknessoftheslidesurface(itwillprobablybealittleover3/4").
Assembletheslidebyapplyingexterior-grade(waterproof)woodgluetothedadoesandfittingthestringersoverthesidesoftheslidesurface.Clamptheassemblytogether,makingsurethestringersareperpendiculartothesurface.Afterthegluecures,sealthejointsfrommoisturewithfinebeadsofexteriorcaulkappliedalongthecornerswherethesurfacemeetsthestringers.
INSTALLINGTHESLIDEMountthecompletedslidetothetreehouseplatformusinggalvanizedmetal
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bracketsoranotherappropriateanchoringmethod.Fastenabrackettoeachstringerusingshortcarriageboltsorscrews,thenfastenthebracketstotheplatformwithlagscrewsorheavy-dutydeckscrews.
Atthebottomend,theslideshouldberestingonfirm,levelground.Addplentyofsoftmulchorothersuitablegroundcoverintheslidelandingarea.Replenishthegroundcoverasneededtoensureasoftlanding.
Dadoedstringersmakeforthecleanestassembly.Besuretousewaterproofglue(polyurethaneglueorexterior-ratedwoodglue)topermanentlybondtheslidesurfaceintothestringers.
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Mountthetopendsoftheslidestringerstothetreehousewithmetalbracketsandscrews(orbolts)—allmaterialsmustbecorrosion-resistant.
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TreehouseProjects
Ifyou’vestuckwithusfromthebeginningofthebookyou’velearnedhowtodesignandbuildeachpartofatreehouse.Nowyoucanseeallthosepartscometogetherintwostart-to-finishtreehouseprojectscompletedinrealbackyards.Thedesignsofthehousesareintentionallyquitedifferent:Oneisalotlikeaterrestrialhouseandisbuiltinasingletree;theotherisanopen-sidedaffairsupportedbyalargetreeandtwoposts.Ofcourse,theseprojectsjustscratchthesurfaceofoptionsandfeaturesthatyoumightincorporateintoyourowndesign.Forafewmoreideas,checkoutthetreehouseplansonpages196–219.
Inthischapter:
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▪Open-airTreehouse▪GableHousewithEntryDeck▪GableRoofwithAuxiliaryPosts▪A-framewithWalkoutDeck▪Half-coveredCrow’sNest▪WraparoundShedonStilts▪TriangularTreeHut▪Four-treeShanty
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Open-airTreehouse
ThishousedesigncouldjustaseasilybecalledtheAll-agesTreehouse.Adultswilllikeitbecausetheycanmovearoundinthehousewithouthavingtoseetheirchiropractorthenextdayandbecausethebroaddecksurfaceandampleheadroommakeitagreatvenueforoutdoorentertainingandeverydaycocktailsatsundown.Kidswillloveitbecause,well,becauseit’satreehouse,butalsobecauseit’slargeenoughtofitloadsofthem.Theopensidesareidealforbackyardgames,andthedeckmakestheperfectstageforpicnicsandcampouts.Bestofall,everyonecanusethetreehouseatonce,althoughthismayrequireawillingnesstododgewaterballoonsoractasacaptiveonapirateship.
Thehouseshowninthisprojecthasan8×12-footfloorplanandmeasuresabout9feetfromthedecktotheroofpeak.It’ssupportedalongthefrontsidebytwopostsandalongtherearsidebytwotrees(seepage171),usingspecialanchorsdesignedspecificallyfortreehouses.Thetreehousedeckstandsabout8feetofftheground.
Theinstructionshereprovideadetailedoverviewofbuildingthehouseasshown,forthisparticularsite.Theycanserveasageneralguidetohelpyoudesignandbuildasimilarhouseofyourown.However,alloftheconstructionspecificationsforyourprojectmustbegearedforyourspecifichousedesign,theintendeduseofthehouse,thetree(s),andthebuildingsite,aswellasanyapplicablelocalbuildingcodesandzoningrestrictions.
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Water-resistantcushionsareidealfortheopen-airtreehouse,perfectforextraseatpaddingorjustthrowingontheground—it’satreehouse,afterall.
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Theopen-airtreehousecombinestheversatilityofanelevateddeckwiththeshelterofacoveredporch,butofcourseit’sfarbetterthanbothbecauseit’sfoundinthetrees.
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Open-airTreehouse
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LOCATINGTHEANCHORPOINTSThistreehousehasfouranchorpoints:one6×6postateachofthefrontcornersoftheplatformandonetreeanchorneareachoftherearcorners.TheanchorsusedherearethestandardGLanchors(seeResourcespage220),whichscrewdirectlyintothetreeandsupportastructuralbeamforthetreehouseplatform.IfyouuseGLorothertreeanchors,besuretofollowthesupplier’sormanufacturer’srecommendationsforinstallationandload-bearingcapacity.Wheninstalledproperly,theanchorsusedhereareratedforaloadof4,000pounds.
Startbylocatingtheanchorpointsonthehosttree(ortrees).Markthetrunkorlimbattheapproximateheightofthetreehousedeckminus18"(thecombineddepthofthetreehouseplatformandbeam).Inspectthetreeinthisareacarefullytomakesureit’ssuitableforananchor.Itmustbeatleast12"indiameter,andit
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mustbesolidandhealthy:norot,fungus,cracks,splits,insectdamage,oranyotherindicationsofexistingorpotentialweakness.
Ifthefirstanchorpointgetsthego-ahead,leveloverwithalong,straightboardtotheothertreeanchorlocation.Youcanusestrapsortapetoholdtheboardinplacefornow;there’snoneedtoputinnailsforthisprocedure.Theboardalsotestshoweasilyyoucanplaneacrossfromoneanchortothenext,whichyouwillultimatelydowiththebeam.Inspectthesecondanchorpointarea,thenmovetotheground.Measureoutfromthetree,ormoreaccurately,fromtheboard,andmarkthegroundattheapproximatelocationsofthetwoposts.It’sbestifthegroundisrelativelylevel,butmostimportantlyitmustbesolidandnotvulnerabletoerosion.
INSTALLINGTHETREEANCHORSTheGLtreeanchorrequiresapreciselymade3-stagepilotholethataccommodatestheleadingthreadedendoftheanchorshaftandashortunthreadedportionoftheshaft,plusaboreforthecollartobedintothecambiumlayerofthetree(seepage25(Treeschoolsidebar).Ifyouusethisanchor,it’shighlyrecommendedthatyoudrillthepilotholewiththespecialbitdesignedforthisapplication(it’savailableforpurchaseorrentfromthesupplier;seeResourcespage220).
Beforedrillingeachpilothole,double-checktheanchorlocations,thistimeusinganailtomarktheprecisecenterofeachpilothole.Theholesshouldbecenteredside-to-sideonthetreetrunk,pointingtowardthetrunk’sinternalcenter.Theyshouldalsobeperpendiculartothelengthofthetreehousebeamandperfectlylevelwitheachother.Drilleachpilotholeasdirected,usingaheavy-duty1/2"drillbit.Itiscriticalthattheholeislevel,somonitorthepositionofthedrillbitthroughouttheoperation.
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Usealevelboardasavisualreferencetodeterminethebestheightandlocationforyourtreeanchors.
Usethedrillbittocleartheholeofdebris.Carefullyhand-threadtheanchorintothehole,checkingforlevelwithatorpedolevelasyougo.Whenitbecomestoohardtothreadbyhand,usealargepipewrenchtodrivetheanchortherestoftheway,workinguntilthecollaristightlycompressedagainstthewoodandyoucan’tbudgethewrenchanyfurther.Youmightwanttouseasteelpipeslippedoverthewrenchhandleforaddedleverage.Checkagainwiththelongboardandleveltomakesuretheanchorswillbelevelwitheachother,theninstalltheotheranchor.
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TheGLanchoranditsspeciallydesignedpilotingbit.Themiddlecollarsectionontheanchorcompressesintothetreetohelppreventrotanddisease.
Drillthepilotholewithaheavy-duty1/2"drill(availableatanyrentalcenter).Braceyourselfandpayattentiontoavoidinjurywiththispowerfultool.
Leveltheanchorcarefullyasitbeginstobiteintothetree.Abigpipewrench(andmaybeacheaterbar)isthekeytogettingtheanchortight(below).
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BUILDING&INSTALLINGTHEREARBEAMCutthree2×10stolengthabout24"longerthantheoutsidedimensionoftheplatformframe,soitwilloverhangtheplatformabout12"oneachend.Crowntheboardssoanycurvaturealongtheirlengthisfacingup(convexsideofcurveisatthetopofthebeam).Sandwichtheboardswiththeirendsalignedandfastenthemtogetherwitha20dgalvanizednaildrivenevery32"andtwonailsateachend.
Thebeamsimplysitsontopoftheanchorsandissecuredtoeachanchorwithaslidingorfixedbracket,asapplicable.Thebracketsareasafetybackuptokeepthebeamontopoftheanchorsduringtreemovement.Thoseusedherearethesliding-typebracketavailablefromtheGLsupplier.
Markthepositionsofthebracketsontheundersideofthebeam,andinstallthebracketswithlagscrews,asdirected.Setthebeamontotheanchors,slippingthebracketsovertheendsoftheanchors,thenaddanut(withawasher,ifapplicable)tosecurethebeam.
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Nailthree2×10stogethertocreatethebuilt-uprearbeam.Staggerthenailsbetweentheupperandlowerportionsofthebeam.
Withthebeaminposition,addanuttotheendofeachanchor(usingawasher,ifapplicable)totrapthebracketontheanchor.
POURINGTHEPOSTFOOTINGSWiththerearbeaminplace,youcanmeasurefromittocreateanaccuratelayoutforthetwoconcretepostfootings.Transferthebeam’slocationtotheground,usingaplumbbob,andmarkthegroundwithstakesorastringline.Measure
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straightoutfromthebeam,andmarkthecenterpointofeachpostwithastake.Here,thepostsarecentered91-3/4"fromtherearfaceoftherearbeamandarespacedabout10feetapart.(Thefrontroofpostswillbearonthefrontbeamforadditionalsupport.)
Ateachpostlocation,digaholeforan8"-diameterconcretetubeform,diggingbelowthefrostlineforyourarea(checkwithyourlocalbuildingdepartmentfortherecommendedfootingdepth),plus3".Adda3"layerofgravelandtampitdown.Cutacardboardtubeformtolengthsoitextends2"abovetheground.Settheformintheholeandsecureitallaroundwithtampedsoil,makingsuretheformisplumb.
Filltheformwithconcreteandsmoothitofflevelwiththetopoftheform.Seta5/8"-diameterJ-boltintotheconcretesoitextends3/4"to1"abovetheconcrete(orasdirectedbythepostbasemanufacturer).Lettheconcretecureasdirected.
Embedananchorboltintothewetconcreteofeachfooting.Theboltshouldbecenteredonthefooting.
CONSTRUCTTHEFRONTBEAMThefrontbeamismadewithtwo2×12snailedtogether,muchliketherearbeam.Itwillsitinnotchescutintothetop,insidefacesoftheposts.Cutthetwopiecestolengthtomatchtherearbeam.Crowntheboards(convexcurvepoints
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up),andnailthemtogetherwith10dgalvanizednailsspaced16"apart,plustwonailsoneachend.Ifdesired,youcanmakedecorativecutsattheendsoftheassembledbeam.
Buildthefrontbeamwithtwo2×12boards,staggering10dnailswith16"spacing.Shapetheendswithdecorativecuts,ifdesired.
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Levelacrossfromthetopoftherearbeamtomarkthetopcutofflinesontheposts.
PREPARINGTHEPOSTSInstallapostbasewithastandoffplateontopofeachfooting,usingawasherandnutsecuredtotheanchorbolt.Setan8-foot.-long6×6postontoeachbase,plumbthepostinbothdirections,andsecureitinplacewith2×4crossbracing.Youcantacktheposttothebasewithonenailtokeepitfromslipping.
Withbothpostsplumbedandbraced,leveloverfromtherearbeamwithalong,straightboard.Markeachpostwithalevellinethatispreciselylevelwiththetopofthebeam.Thislinerepresentsthetopofthepost,whereyouwillcuttheposttoitsfinallength.
Removethepostsfromtheirbases.Measurethedepth(top-to-bottomdimension)andthicknessofthefrontbeam.Usingthesedimensions,markanotchontotherearandsidefacesofeachpost.Thetopofthenotchisthetopcutofflineyoumadeinthelaststep.Cuteachpostatthetopcutoffline,usingacircularsawtocutalongallfoursides,thenfinishthecutthroughthecenterwithahandsaworreciprocatingsawwithalongwoodblade.Cutoutthenotchesusingthesametechnique.
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Useasquaretoextendthecuttinglinesacrossthepostfacesforthetopendcutoffandnotches.
INSTALLINGTHEPOSTS&FRONTBEAMSetthepostsbackintheirbasesandbracethemplumb,asbefore.Setthefrontbeamontothenotchesoftheposts(withthecrownofthebeampointingup)sothebeamoverhangsthepostsequallyonbothends.Clampthebeamtothepostsortackitinplacewithnails.Confirmthatthepostsareplumb(youcanadjustthebasepositionsabit,ifneeded),thenanchorthepoststothebaseswiththemanufacturer’sspecifiedfasteners(forthebasesshown,youcanusegalvanizednailsormachinebolts,butnotboth).
Anchoreachbeamtoitspostwithtwo3/8"carriageboltswithwashers.Drillacounterboreforthewashersandnutsontherearfaceofthebeam.Whenallthenutsaretightened,fillthecounterboreswithcaulktopreventwaterintrusionandforestallrot.
Tackacoupleof2×4sacrossthetopsofthebeamstohelpbracethefrontbeamandposts.Leavetheposts’crossbracing(installedearlier)inplaceuntil
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thetreehouseplatformiscompleted.
Fastenthepoststotheirbases.Makesurethebaseistighteneddowntotheanchorboltwiththeprovidednut.
Fastenthefrontbeamtothepostswithpairsofcarriageboltsinsertedthroughthepostsandsecuredonthebeamsidewithwashersandnuts.
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ADDINGTHEKNEEBRACESThetwokneebracesprovidelateralsupportforthepostsandaddatraditionaltimber-framelooktothetreehousestructure.They’recutfroma10-foot6×6andmeetthepostsandfrontbeamata45°angle.Note:Allbracingforyourprojectshouldbedesignedtosuityourspecificsiteconditionsandhousedesign.
Cuta10-foot6×6inhalf,thenmiteroneendofeachpieceat45°.Markthefrontfaceofeachpostabout36"downfromthetopofthefrontbeam.Positioneachbraceagainstthepostandbeam,withthelongpointofitsmiteredendalignedwiththemarkanditsrearfaceagainstthefrontofthebeam.Tracealongthetopandbottomofthebeamontothebrace;thesecutsrepresentthetopcutandbottomofthenotchforthebeam.
Ontheinsideportionofeachbrace,layoutthenotchtomatchthethicknessofthefrontbeam.Cutthetopendofthebracesat45°,thencutthenotcheswithacircularsawandhandsaworreciprocatingsaw,asbefore.
Seteachbraceinpositionsoitsbottomendisontheoriginalmarkanditssidefacesareflushwiththefrontandrearpostfaces.Thetopcutshouldbeflushwiththetopofthebeam.Clampbothendsofthebraceinplace.Drillcounterboredpilotholes,andfastenthebracetothebeamwithtwo3/8"carriageboltsandtothepostwithtwo3/8"×7lagscrewswithwashers.
Tracealongthefrontbeamtomarkthetopcutsandnotchesforthekneebraces.Wheninstalled,thefacesofthepostsandbracesarealigned.
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Anchorthekneebracestothepostswithlagscrewsdrivenstraightthroughtheinsidefacesofthebraces,roughlycenteredonthejoint.
Useascrapof6×6postasaspacerwhenmarkingthejoistlayoutandinstallingthejoists.Theroofpostsshouldfitsnuglybetweenthejoistpairs.
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Metalframingconnectorscreateastrongconnectionbetweenthetreehouseplatformandthebeamsandareimportantforresistingwinduplift.
FRAMINGTHEPLATFORMCuttwo2×8rimjoiststorunthefulllengthoftheplatform,thencut11-2×8joistsequaltothefullwidth(fronttoback)oftheplatform,minus3".Markthejoistlayoutontotherimjoists,usingascrappieceof6×6posttosetthespacesfortheeightroofposts.Thefourcornerpostsareset1-1/2"infromtheendofeachrimjoist,andthetworemainingpostsoneachsidearespacedevenlyinbetween.Gangtherimjoiststogethertomarkthelayout,toensurethatalljoistsandpostsareproperlyaligned.
Assembletheplatformframeontopofthebeams.Startbynailingtherearrimjoisttoallofthejoists,usingthree16dnailsforeach.Then,movetothefrontoftheframeandnailthefrontrimjoistontotheendsofthejoists.Whentheframeisassembled,centeritside-to-sideoverbothbeams,andmeasurediagonallybetweenopposingcornerstocheckforsquare:Whenthemeasurementsareequaltheframeissquare.Tacktheframetothebeamwithseveralnailstoholditinplace,thenreinforcetheconnectionwithmetalframingconnectors(consultabuildingprofessionaloryourlocalbuildingdepartmentforrecommendationsonthebestconnectorsforyourproject).
Followchalklinestosettheinitialrowsofdecking(sinceyoucan’tstartattheedgeoftheplatform).Afewextrachalklinescanhelpyoustayontrackduringtheinstallation.
DECKINGTHEPLATFORMTheplatformframeisdeckedwith2×6or5/4×6boardstocreatethetreehousefloor.Thinner5/4×6deckingissuitableforupto24"ofjoistspacingifthe
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woodispineorhemlock;forcedarandredwood,2×6deckingisrecommended.Atthisstage,mostofthedeckingisinstalledtofacilitateworkingfromtheplatform,butafewboardsareleftoffateachsidetoprovideaccessforinstallingtheroofposts.
Useascrappieceofyourdeckingmaterialtomarklayoutlinesonthejoists.Thisistoensurethatyouwon’treachtheedgeoftheplatformanddiscoverthatthelastboardisjustasliver.Thedeckingshouldrunperpendiculartotheinteriorjoists(paralleltotherimjoists)andstopflushwiththeoutsidefacesofthetwooutsidejoists.
Stepoffeachrowofdecking,leavinga1/4"gapbetweenrowsfordrainageandeasycleaning,workingfromthefrontedgeoftheplatformtotherear.Ifthelastboardislessthanhalfawidth,plantoripdowntheboardsofthestartingrow(atthefront)sothestartingandendrowsareroughlyequalinwidth.Onceyou’resatisfiedwiththelayout,snapchalklinestoguidetheinstallation.
Followingyourlayout,installthedeckingwithdeckscrewssizedforthedeckingmaterial.Drillpilotholes,anddrivetwoscrewsateachjoistconnection.Remembernottoinstallthelastfewrowsofdeckingatthefrontandrearoftheplatform.
INSTALLINGTHEROOFPOSTSThe6×6roofpostsextendfromthebottomoftheplatformframetothetopsoftherafters.Theysupporttheentireroofstructureaswellasthetreehouserailing.Cutthetopendsofeach8-foot6×6postata33.7°angle;thisfollowsthe8-in-12slopeoftheroof.Then,measuringfromthelongpointofthebeveledend,cuttheposttolengthwithasquarecut,basedonthedesiredheightoftheroof.Fortheprojectshown,theroofpostsareabout89"longfromthesquarebottomendtothelongpointofthetopend.
Seteachcornerpostintoitsplacebetweenthecloselyspacedpairsofplatformjoists.Clampitbetweenthejoistssoitstandsperfectlyplumbanditsbottomendisflushwiththebottomofthejoists,restingonthebeambelow.Drillpilotholes,andfastentheposttobothneighboringjoistswithfour3/8"carriagebolts.Youdon’thavetocounterboreforthesebolts,buttheboltheadsshouldbeontheoutsidesoftheouterjoists.
Runatautstringlinebetweenthetwocornerpostsoneachsideoftheplatform,paralleltothebeams.Installthetworemainingpostsoneachsideinthesamemanner,usingthestringlinetomakesureallfourpostsarealigned.
Completetheplatformdeckingtofillintheopeningsleftforthepostinstallation.Notchthedeckboardsasneededtofitaroundtheposts.Thedeckingshouldbeflushwiththeoutsidesoftheplatformframe.
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Anchorthebottomendsoftheroofpostswithcarriagebolts,sandwichingthepostsbetweenthejoistsateitherside.
Useastringlinetoensurethepostsareonthesameplaneacrosseachsideofthetreehouse.
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Cuttheendsofthepatternraftersat33.7°andtest-fitthemonapairofroofposts,usingapieceof2×8scraptoserveastheridgebeam.
CUTTINGTHERAFTERSTheroofisframedmuchlikeastandardgableroof,butheretheraftersareeasiertocutbecausetheyhavenobird’smouthcuts.Insteadofsittingatopthewalls,theraftersheresimplyfastentothesidesoftheroofposts.Cuttwo2×6patternrafterswithan8-in-12slope(33.7°),followingthetechniquesdescribedonpages118to119.Useascrapof2×8torepresenttheridgebeam.Thetopsoftheraftersshouldbeflushwiththetopendsoftheroofpostsandextendabout8"(measuredhorizontally)beyondtheoutsidesoftheposts.
Usethepatternrafterstomarkandcuttheremaining14rafters,foratotalof16.Cutthe2×8ridgebeamtolengthsoitoverhangstheouterroofpostsbyabout4-1/2",orasdesired.
FRAMINGTHEROOFMarktherafterlayoutontotheridgebeambyclampingtheridgeacrosstheroofpostsononesideofthetreehousesotheridgeisflushwiththetopsofthepostsandoverhangstheouterpostsequallyonbothends(photo20).Tracealongbothsidefacesofeachpost;theselinesrepresenttheinsidefacesoftherafters.Useasquaretotransferthemarkstotheotherfaceoftheridge.
Installthefouroutermostraftersandridgebeam,using16dgalvanizednails.Drivefournailsthrougheachrafterandintotheroofpost,andusetwonailstofastentheraftertotheridge.Next,installthepairsofraftersontheoutsidefaces
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ofthetwosetsofinteriorposts.Atthispoint,onlyonesideofeachposthasarafteronit.
Cutthetwo2×6interiorraftertiestospanbetweentherafterpairssotheirbottomedgesareabout80"abovetheplatformdeck.Makesurethetiesarelevel,andfastenthemtotheinsidefacesoftherafterswith2-1/2"screwsateachend.
Tocreatethetrussdetailateachgableendoftheroofframe,cuta2×6raftertietospanbetweentherafterssotheirbottomedgesareabout76"abovetheplatformdeck.Fastenthesetotheinsidefacesoftheoutermostrafters.Next,cuta2×6struttofitbetweenthetopoftheraftertie(gableendsonly)andthetopsoftherafters,cuttingthetopendofthestruttoapoint.Then,notchthestrut’stopendtofitsnuglyaroundtheridgebeam.Nailthestruttothetopedgeoftheraftertieandtotheraftersandridgebeam.
Installtheremainingrafterstocompletetheroofframe.
Marktheridgebeamforrafters,usingtheroofposts.Makean“X”totheoutsideofeachpostmarkingtoshowwheretheraftergoes.
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Interiorraftertiesspanacrosstheraftersontheinteriorroofposts.Theirendsarecuttomatchtheroofslope.
INSTALLINGTHEROOFDECK&ROOFINGThedeckingmaterialfortheroofis5/8"or3/4"T&Groofsheathingratedfora40"rafterspan.Sincetheundersideandedgesofthesheathingwillremainexposed,it’sbesttouse“Exterior”sheathing(asopposedto“Exposure1”or“Exposure2”).Asanoptionaladdition,youcaninstall3/8"cedarplywoodontheundersideofthesheathing,tocreateadecorative“ceiling”finish.
Installtheroofdeckingfollowingthetechniquesdescribedonpage122,overhangingtheoutermostraftersbyabout3"atthegableendsoftheroof.Ifdesired,covertheundersideoftheroofdeckwithexteriorcedarplywood(orotheroutdoormaterial),usingconstructionadhesiveandshorttrimscrewsorbrads.
Completetheroofwithbuildingpaperandasphalt(composition)shingleroofing,followingthetechniquesdescribedonpages122through124.Ifyouchosetocovertheundersideofthedeckwithdecorativeplywood,besuretheroofingnailsareshortenoughthattheywon’tcomethroughtheplywood.
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Thegable-endraftertiesarecombinedwithastruttocreateatrussdetail.Thestrutisnotchedtofitaroundtheridgebeam(inset).
Tongue-and-grooveroofdeckingisrequiredfortherelativelywidespansoftherafters.Followthemanufacturer’sspecificationsforgappingbetweenpanels.
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Adecorativelayerofcedarplywoodconcealsroofingnailsandcreatesafinishedceiling.Notchthepanelsasneededtofitaroundtheroofframing.
Compositionshinglesmakeforaninexpensive,long-lastingroof.Considertheshinglecolorcarefully,asyou’llprobablybelookingatitmostoftheyear.
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BUILDINGTHERAILINGTherailinghashorizontal2×4railsthatsupport2×2balusters,muchlikeyoufindwithmanydeckdesigns.Thetopoftherailinggetsa2×6cap,whichmakesanicesurfacetoleanagainsttoenjoyaviewortosetdowndrinks.Youcanmodifytherailingdesignasdesired,butmakesureyoursmeetstheminimumstandardsforsafety:Mostimportantly,therailingmustbeatleast36"tall,fromthedecksurfacetothetopoftherailing,andthebalustersmustbespacedjustunder4"apart(ifa4"-diameterballcanfitbetweenthebalusters,they’retoofarapart);seepage93formorerailingdesignandsafetyinformation.
Toinstallthe2×4rails,maketwomarksoneachcornerroofpost,7-1/2"and34-1/2"upfromthetreehousefloor.Snapchalklinesacrossalloftheroofpostsatthesemarks;thelinesrepresentthetopedgesofthe2×4rails.
Cutthe2×4railstospanacrosstheroofposts,usingsinglepiecesforeachrun,ifpossible.Youcanwraparoundtheoutsidesofthepostswithmiteredorbuttedjoints.Fastenthroughtherailsandintothepostswith3"deckscrews.Note:Ifyouwanttocreatebuilt-instopsonthelatchsideofthegateopening,extendtherailsabout1-1/2"intotheopening,asshownonpage182).
Markthebalusterlayoutontotheinsidefacesoftherails.Createalayoutforeachspacebetweenneighboringposts,workingfromthecentersothatthegapsbetweenbalustersisthesameatbothendsofthespace.
Cutthe2×2balusterstolengthsotheyextendfromthetopofthetoprailtothebottomedgeofthebottomrail,miteringthebottomends,ifdesired.Positioneachbalustersoit’sflushwiththetopofthetoprail,checkitforplumb,andfastenitwith2-1/2"deckscrews.
Toinstallthe2×6railingcaps,rough-cuteachpiecealittlelongerthanyouneed.Settheboardinplaceontopofthetoprail,ontheoutsideoftheroofposts,andmarkthepositionsofthepostsontothecap.Notchthecapatthemarks,settingthenotchdepthsothatthecapwilloverhangtheoutsidesoftherailsby1-1/2".Test-fitthecap,thenmarktheendsforfinalcuts.Itlooksbestifyoumiterthecapsatthecornerjoints.Fastenthecapstotherailsandthebalusters(asneeded)with3"deckscrews.
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Installtherailswiththeirtopedgesonthechalklines.The3"gapbelowthebottomrailmakesiteasytosweepoffthetreehousedeck.
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Useabalusterandleveltomarkthesidesofeachbalusterlocation,andusea2×4blockcuttolengthat3-7/8"tosetthegapsbetweenbalusters.
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Notchthecapstofitaroundtheposts(inset),leavingabouta1-1/2"overhangontheoutsideoftherailinganda1"overhangontheinside.
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Self-closinghingeskeepthegateclosedwhenit’snotinuse—ahandysafetyfeatureforanyoneusingthetreehouse.
CONSTRUCTTHEGATEThegateshownhereisbuiltjustliketherailingandishungwithself-closinghinges,withthegateswinginginforsafety.Anotherimportantsafety(andlongevity)featureisastopthatsupportsthegatewhenit’sclosedandpreventsitfrombeingpushedthroughthewrongway.Notchescutintotherailsandcapsoftherailingandgatecreatestrong,built-instopsthatrequirenohardware.
Buildthegatewiththesamematerialsandbalusterspacingusedforthetreehouserailing,makingitalittlenarrowerthanthegateopeningtoallowforhingeandswingclearance.Reinforcethegatewithaturnbuckleandrods(runningfromthetophingecornertothebottomlatchcorner)orawoodormetalcrossbrace(runningfromthetoplatchcornertothebottomhingecorner).Hangthegatewithheavy-dutyself-closinghingesmountedtotheroofpost.
Matingnotchesinthecapsandrailsofthegateandtreehouserailingcreatesafetystopsthatalsopreventunduewearandtearonthegate.
PROVIDINGACCESS&ACCESSORIES
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Givenitsversatile,“all-ages”design,thistreehouseshouldhavearelativelypedestrianmeansofaccess,suchassturdyladderstepsorevenafull-fledgedstaircase.Ifyouwon’tusethehouseduringthecoldmonthsoftheyear,youmightprefertouseladderstepsthatyoucanremovesothehouseisinaccessibleintheoff-season.
Asforaccessories,youcanhangallmannerofclimbingandplaythingsfromthefrontbeamandplatformjoists—swings,trapeze,knottedclimbingrope,rings,younameit.Thepostsareidealforstringingupahammock,eitherinthetreehouseordownbelowbetweentheplatformposts.Youcouldevenhangalittletwo-seaterporchswingfromtherafterties.
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Accesstothistreehousehappenstobeatthefront,butitcouldalsobeateitherendoreventheback,ifyou’dpreferacleanerlookatthefront.
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Strategicallyplacedaccessories,suchasswingsandclimbingropes,turnthetreehouseintothebestkindofbackyardplaystructure.
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GableHousewithEntryDeck
Atreehousethatfeelslikeahome.Solidwalls,sturdywindowsanddoors,andsomesimpledecorativetouchesadduptoacozyretreatwherekidscanreallylettheirimaginationsrunwild.
Thisnicelyproportionedhouseisagreatexampleofwhatyoucandowithonegood,stouttree.Andthedesignissimplerthanitlooks.Itstartswithasquareplatformthat’sframedaroundthetrunkandsupportedbykneebracesatthecorners.Apartfromthecutoutforthedoorandentrydeck,thehouseisjustaboxwithagableroof,muchlikethehousesyoufindinkids’drawings.Thisclassiclookisnocoincidence—withitstraditionallinesandfullyenclosed
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interior,thetreehousehasanespeciallyhomeyfeel,athemethat’senhancedbytheDutchdoorandplayhouse-sizeentrydeck.Theinteriorlayoutalsolendsitselftobuilt-inaccessories,likeshelvesandtables.
Asingle-treehouseofthissizerequiresalarge,maturetree.Thespecimenmustbehealthy,ofcourse,andshouldmeasureatleast5feetincircumferenceatitsbase.Becausethetreealonewillbeartheburdenofthehouseanditsoccupants,it’sagoodideatohaveitinspectedbyanarboristbeforemakinganyseriousconstructionplans.Thinkaboutwhereyou’dliketoplacethehouse,soyoucangivespecialattentiontotheinstallationareas.Note:Theinstructionshereprovideadetailedoverviewofbuildingthehouse
asshown,forthisparticularsite.Theycanserveasageneralguidetohelpyoudesignandbuildasimilarhouseofyourown.However,alloftheconstructionspecificationsforyourprojectmustbegearedforyourspecifichousedesign,theintendeduseofthehouse,thetree,andthebuildingsite,aswellasanyapplicablelocalbuildingcodesandzoningrestrictions.
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Self-closinghingeskeepthegateshutwhenit’snotinuse—ahandysafetyfeatureforanyoneusingthetreehouse.
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GableHousewithEntryDeck
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INSTALLINGTHEPLATFORMBEAMSThetreehouseplatformhasfour2×8beams,allofwhichareanchoredtothetreewithasingle3/4"lagscrewandwashers.Cutthelowerpairofbeamstothefullwidthoftheplatform.Ifdesired,angle-cutthebottomcornersofthebeamsfordecorativeembellishment.Markthetreeatthedesiredheightofthefinishedplatformminus83/4"(thecombineddepthoftheplatformframeanddecking);thisrepresentsthetopedgesofthelowerbeams.
Drillclearanceholesinthebeamsandpilotholesinthetree,andanchorthebeamstothetreefollowingthetechniquesdescribedforfixedanchors,onpage61.Thelagscrewsshouldbecenteredalongthelengthofthebeamandpointtowardsthecenterofthetreetrunk.Makesurethesecondbeamisperfectly
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levelwiththefirstbeforeinstallingit.Cutthetwoupperbeamstothefulllengthoftheplatformminus3".These
beamsareintegratedintotheplatformframeandarethesamelengthasthecommonjoists.Installtheupperbeamsperpendiculartothelowerbeams,withtheirbottomedgesrestingonthelowerbeams.
INSTALLINGTHEJOISTS&KNEEBRACESIntheprojectasshown,theplatformframewasassembledbeforethekneebraceswereinstalled.Initially,2×6kneebraceswereanchoredtothetreewithspecialbrackets(seepage190),thenanadditional2×6wassisteredtoeachbraceforaddedrigidity.Foryourownproject,youmightprefertoinstallthekneebracesafteronlytheperimeterjoistsareinstalled.It’salsoanoptiontouse4×6sforthekneebraces;however,thisrequiresaspeciallysizedbracketthatmayneedtobecustom-fabricated.Note:Don’tusetheplatformforsupportuntilthekneebracesareinstalled.
Cutthetwo2×8rimjoiststomatchthelengthofthelowerbeams,andcutthefour2×8commonjoiststothesamelengthastheupperbeams(yourprojectmaycallformorejoists,dependingonthesizeoftheplatformandthedeckingmaterial).Setthecommonjoistsonedgeatopthelowerbeams,andfastenoneoftherimjoiststoeachcommonjoistwiththree16dnailsor3-1/2"deckscrews.Installtheotherrimjoistontheotherendsofthecommons.
Squareuptheframeusingaframingsquare(youcan’tmeasurethediagonals,becausethetreeisintheway),andtoenailtheframetothelowerbeamswith16dnails.Leveltheplatforminbothdirections,thensecureitinpositionwithafewtemporarypostsextendingtotheground.
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Anchorthelowerbeamstothecenterofthetree.Rememberthatthelagscrewsshouldbejustbelowcenter(top-to-bottom)onthebeams.
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Installtheupperbeams,checkingallofthebeamsforlevelasyougo.Ifnecessary,usewoodshimstomakeabeamstandplumbagainstthetree(inset).
Cutthekneebracessotheyfitbetweentheinsideofeachcorneroftheplatformframeandextenddowntothetreeata45°angle.Cutthetopendsofthebracesat45°,andcutthebottomendstofittheanchorbrackets.Usethekneebracestomarkthepreciselocationsoftheanchorbrackets,andinstallthebracketsasdirectedbythemanufacturer.Thebracketsusedhereareinstalledwithasinglelagscrewtothetree(don’tusetwofastenersclosetogether,whichpromotestreerot)andasinglelagscrewintotheendofthekneebrace.
Installthebraces,toenailingthetopendstotheplatformframe,thenreinforcingeachjointwithaframingconnector.Addasecondkneebrace,ifapplicable,sisteringthetwowith10dnailsor3"deckscrews.
DECKINGTHEPLATFORMInstallthe2×6(or5/4×6)deckingsoitrunsperpendiculartothecommon
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joistsandisflushwithoutsideoftheframingonallsides.Fastendeckboardstoeachjoistwithpairsof3"deckscrews.Besuretoleavea2"gapbetweenthedeckingandthetreetoallowforgrowth.
Becausethehouse’sinteriorwillbeenclosed,youdon’thavetoleavegapsbetweentheboardsfordrainage,ifyouprefernotto.However,youmightwanttogapthemabitforexpansion,andlargergapsmakeforeasiercleaning.Ifyoupreferacontinuousfloorsurface,youcanalsosavesomemoneybyusingplywoodinsteadof2×6s.
Fastentherimjoiststothecommonjoistswithnailsorscrews.Here,theinteriorcommonjoistsarecenteredbetweentheoutercommonsandtheupperbeams.
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Securethekneebracestothetreewithanchorbrackets(inset)andtotheplatformframewithtoenailedscrewsornailsandframingconnectors.
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Customfitthedeckingboardsaroundthetreebybuttingeachpieceuptothetreeandusingacompasssetat2"totransferthetree’scontourstotheboard.
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Theleftgablewallspansthewidthofthehouseandiscenteredontheroofpeak.Theextrastudateachendisforinstallinginteriorfinishes.
BUILDINGTHEWALLSThewallsofthishouseareframedwith2×3lumberandaresmallenoughthattheycanbeframedandsidedontheground,thenhoistedupontotheplatformforinstallation.Theleftandrightsidesofthehousehavegablewallsthatcreatetheroofslope.Theleftgableisoneassembly,whiletherightgableismadeupoftwosectionsseparatedbyashortsectionofthefrontwall,creatingajogthatbecomesthedoorwall.Thesinglerearwallandtwofrontwallsarestandardrectangularwalls.
Starttheframingwiththeleftgablewall,followingthetechniquesdescribedonpages83and84.Theroofshownherehasaslopeof6-in-12,sothetopendsofthestudsarecutat26.6°.Framethetworightgablewallsectionssothateachonematchesonehalfoftheleftwall.Therearsectiongetsaroughopeningforacustom-madewindowatanysizeorheightyoulike.
Frametherearwalltothesameheightasthesidesoftheleftgablewall;makethisabuttwall(seepage83)thatwillfitinsidethetwoadjacentgablewalls.Determinethesizeofthedoorwallbasedonthedesiredwidthofthedoor,addingseveralinchesateithersideofthedoor.Thedoorwallsectionwillactasabuttwallattherightsideofthehouseandasathroughwallwhereitmeetsthefronthalfoftheleftgablewall.Frametheotherfrontwallsectiontoincludea
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salvagedorhomemadewindow,ifdesired.Whenallthewallsareframed,tipthemupforaquicktestassembly.Check
theoutsidedimensionsoftheassembly,andmakesurethewallsaresquareandarealignedproperlyfortheroofplanes.Thisisalsothetimetoplanthesidinginstallationandfigureoutwherethesidingshouldoverhangtheframingtocovertheendofthematingwall,asapplicable.
Installthesidingaccordingtoyourplan.Thematerialusedhereis3/8"cedarplywoodsiding;seepage87forbasicinstallationsteps.
INSTALLINGTHEWALLSSnapchalklinesonthetreehousedecktoguidetheinstallation.Raiseandinstallthewallsfollowingthebasicprocessdiscussedonpage92.Forthisproject,thecornertrimisn’taddeduntiltheendofthehouseconstruction.
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Useropesandapulley,ablockandtackle,oranyothermechanicalaidstohoistthewallsuptotheplatform.
Fastenthewallstogetheratthecornerswithdeckscrews,followingthesameplanyouusedforthedryassemblyontheground.
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Installingtheridgebeamfirstmakesiteasytomarkandtest-fitthepatternrafters.
Theraftersoverhangthefrontandrearwallsbyabout8"(measuredhorizontally)tocreatethetraditionaleaves.
FRAMINGTHEROOFThishouse’sroofhasaneaveoverhangalongthegabledsidesaswellasthebottomedgesatthefrontandrear.Tocreatethegableextensions,simplycutthe1×6ridgebeamsoitoverhangstheleftandrightsidesofthehousebyabout6",orasdesired.Marktherafterlayoutontheridge,thentacktheridgeinplacewithafewnails.
Cuttwo2×6patternrafters,followingthestepsdescribedonpages118to119.Theseareforthecommon(full-size)rafters;later,youwillmakecustom-sizedraftersforthegablesandtheroofoverhangabovethedoor.Usethepatternstomarkandcuttheremainingsevencommonrafters.Thefrontsectionoftheroofgetsthreecommons,andtherearsectiongetssixcommons.Install
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thecommonrafters.Cutthecustomraftersalongthegablessotheysitontopofthewallplates
andtheirtopedgesarelevelwiththetopsofthecommonrafters.Theseraftersdon’tgetbird’smouthcuts,sotheirbottomedgesontheeaveendsarealittlehigherthanthoseofthecommonrafters.Installthegablerafters.
Finally,cutandinstallthethreeshortraftersalongthedoorwall.Theseshouldextendroughlythesamedistanceastheeaveendsofthecommonrafters.Installtheshortraftersbytoenailingthemtotheridgebeam.
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Thecustomgableraftersareinstalledsotheiroutsidefacesareflushwiththeoutsideofthewallsiding.
COMPLETINGTHEROOFThetreehousecanhaveanyroofingmaterialyoulike.Here,theroofingisasphalt(composition)shingleslaidover1/2"plywoodsheathing.Becausetheedgesandsomeoftheundersideofthesheathingwillremainexposed,it’sbesttouse“Exterior”sheathing(asopposedto“Exposure1”or“Exposure2”),whichisdesignedforpermanentexposure.Sheatheandshingletherooffollowingthetechniquesonpages122through124.
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ADDINGTHEWINDOWSThetreehouseasshownhastwowindows.Oneisanoctagonalwindowboughtatanarchitecturalsalvageshop,agreatplacetofindone-of-a-kindwindowsandothercuriositiesforatreehouse.Youcanalsofindusedwindowsatbuildingmaterialsrecyclers(includingHabitatforHumanityoutlets)andantiqueshops.Theoctagonalwindowshownherecamewithexteriortrim(“brickmolding”)attached.Itwasinstalledbynailingthroughthemoldingandintothewallsidingandframingwithgalvanizedcasingnails.Acontinuousbeadofexteriorcaulkappliedalongtheperimeterofthemoldingpreventsleaks.
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Salvagedwindowswithexteriortrimareabreezetoinstall.Othersmightcallforsomecreativecarpentry,butthey’rewellworththeeffort.
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Preassemblingahomemadewindowcansaveyousometripstoandfromthetreehouse,butitrequirescarefulmeasuringofthewindowopening.
Theotherwindowistotallyhandmadefrom1×and2×lumber,somemolding,andpolycarbonatesheetingforthe“glass.”Thestepsonpages106through112walkyouthroughtheprocessofbuildingyourownwindowtoanysizeyouneed.Youcancreatethewindowpiece-by-piecerightintheroughopeningofthewall,oryoucanusethesamebasicprocessandassemblethepartsontheground,theninstallthecompletedwindowintheopening.
Toinstallapre-assembledwindow,centerthewindowframeinsidetheroughopeningofthewall,withthewindowsillrestingonthe2×3roughsillandthehornsofthesilltightagainsttheoutsideofthesiding.Usetaperedcedarshims,ifnecessary,tosnugthesideandtopjambstotheroughopening.Fastenthroughthejambsandsillandintotheframingwithgalvanizedfinishnails.Anotheroptionistopre-installthetrimonthewindowunit,allowingyoutofastenthe
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windowthroughthefrontofthetrimandintothesidingandframing.
BUILDINGTHEDUTCHDOORTheDutchdooraddssomefuntothehousedesignandevensomepracticality:closingthebottomhalfofthedoorkeepslittleonessafelycorralledinsidethehousewithouthavingtoshutofftheopeningentirely.Ofcourse,astandarddoorwouldworkjustfineforthehouse,too.Instructionsforbuildingbothdoortypesaregivenonpage115.
TheDutchdoorshownhereessentiallyistwoshortversionsonthestandardZ-bracedoor.Constructthetwodoorstofittheroughopeningframe,leavingabout7/8"betweenthedoorsfora1×4shelfatthetopofthebottomdoor,plusa1/8"gapforclearance.Hangthedoorssotheyswingouttowardthefrontgablewall.Install1×4trimalongtheoutsideedgesofthejambs,andaddalatchtothelowerdoor.Alignthedoorsandinstallaslideboltorbarrelbolt(onethatlocksintheretractedposition)ontotheupperdoorsothebarrelextendsstraightdownintoahole(withametalplate,ifdesired)inthelowerdoor,tolatchthedoorstogether.
ThissampleDutchdoorshowsthesimpleconstructionoftongue-and-groovesidingboardsjoinedwith1×6Z-bracing.
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INSTALLTHERAILING&LADDERForthisparticularproject,therailingandladderwereleftoffuntilnowtofacilitateconstruction,butyoucouldaddeitherwheneverit’sconvenient.
Tobuildtherailing,cutsix2×4poststolengthat431/4"(orlonger,ifyouprefertomaketherailinghigherthanthecodeminimumof36"abovetheplatformdecking).Installonepostateachendoftherailing,overlappingthehousewallby1-1/2"orso,andinstalltwopostsattheoutsidecorneroftheplatform,formingan“L”withonepostoverlappingtheedgeoftheother.Installthelasttwopostsattheoutsidesoftheladderopening.Anchoreachposttotheplatformjoistwithtwo3"lagscrewsandwashersdriventhroughpilotholes.Alsofastentheendpoststothetreehousewalls.Thepostsshouldbeperfectlyplumb,withtheirbottomendsflushwiththebottomedgesofthejoists.
Cutpiecesof2×4railingcaptospanoverthetopsoftheneighboringposts(exceptwithintheladderopening).Roundthecornersofthecapsandsandtheedgestoremovesharpnessandpreventsplintering.Fastenthecapstothepostswith3-1/2"deckscrewssotheinsideedgesofthecapsoverhangtheinsidesofthepostsby1-1/2".
Cut2×2supportcleatstorunalongtheinsidefacesoftheposts,andinstallthemupagainstthecapusing2-1/2"screwsdrivenintothepostsandcap.Cutthe2×2balusterstothesamelengthastheposts.Installthebalusterswithevenspacingsotheresultinggapsarenomorethan4".Fastenthebalusterstotheplatformjoistswithpairsof3"deckscrewsandtothesupportcleatswith2-1/2"deckscrews.
Accesstothishouseisprovidedbyaflat-rungladder.Instructionsforthisareonpage128.Othergoodoptionsincludeadouble-rungladder(pages126and127)andconventionaloutdoorstairs(pages130to133).Ifyouchoosetobuildaladder,besuretoincludeasafetyrailrunningacrossthetopoftheladderopeninginthetreehouserailing.
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Thissimplerailingismadewith2×4sand2×2sanchoredtotheplatformframingandthehousewalls.
FINISHINGTHEHOUSEIfyouusedplywoodsidingonthewalls,nowisthetimetoaddthe1×4cornertrimattheoutsidecornersofthehouse.Basictechniquesforinstallingtrimarecoveredonpages90to91.Thecornertrimmaterialshouldmatchorcomplementtheexteriortrimforthehouse’swindowsanddoor.
Nowit’stimetoaddcolor.Thishousedesignlooksgreatwithasemi-transparentstainontheplywoodsidinganddarkpaintonthetrim,door,androofstructure.Paintingthesidingcanworkwell,too,butstickwithacontrastingcolorforthetrimandrooftoadddefinitiontothebuildingandmakethetrimdetails“pop.”Therailingalsoshouldbefinishedtopreventprematureweatheringandrougheningofthewood.
Insidethehouse,afewthoughtfullyplacedfeaturescancreateafunandfunctionallivingspace.Finishthewallswithpanelingandtrim,buildacustomflip-downbunkortwo,oraddaflip-uptableandafewshelves.Seepages96through103forhelpwiththeseandothercustomprojects.
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MoreTreehousePlans
Notwotreehousesareexactlyalikebecausenotwotreesarethesame.Butthatdoesn’tmeanbuildingplansareworthlesswhenitcomestotreehouses.Infact,we’vedecidedtowrapupthisbookbyincludingsixfullydevelopedplansforyourconsiderationandinspiration.It’sunlikelythatyou’llbeabletousethemexactlyastheyareshown,sowe’veleftoutsomedimensionsanddetailsthatyou’llneedtofillinyourselfbasedonyourtreeortreesandonyourneedsandplans.Butwethinkyou’llfindthemtobeagoodleapingoffpointforyourventureintothetrees.
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Plan1:GableRoofwithAuxiliaryPosts
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Plan2:A-FramewithWalkoutDeck
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Plan3:Half-coveredCrow’sNest
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Plan4:WraparoundShedonStilts
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Plan5:TriangularTreeHut
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Plan6:Four-treeShanty
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ReferenceChartsMetricConversions
TOCONVERT: TO: MULTIPLYBY:Inches Millimeters 25.4Inches Centimeters 2.54Feet Meters 0.305Yards Meters 0.914Squareinches Squarecentimeters 6.45Squarefeet Squaremeters 0.093Squareyards Squaremeters 0.836Ounces Milliliters 30.0Pints(U.S.) Liters 0.473(lmp.0.568)Quarts(U.S.) Liters 0.946(lmp.1.136)Gallons(U.S.) Liters 3.785(lmp.4.546)Ounces Grams 28.4Pounds Kilograms 0.454Millimeters Inches 0.039Centimeters Inches 0.394Meters Feet 3.28Meters Yards 1.09Squarecentimeters Squareinches 0.155Squaremeters Squarefeet 10.8Squaremeters Squareyards 1.2Milliliters Ounces .033Liters Pints(U.S.) 2.114(lmp.1.76)Liters Quarts(U.S.) 1.057(lmp.0.88)Liters Gallons(U.S.) 0.264(lmp.0.22)Grams Ounces 0.035Kilograms Pounds 2.2
ConvertingTemperaturesConvertdegreesFahrenheit(F)todegreesCelsius(C)byfollowingthissimpleformula:Subtract32fromtheFahrenheittemperaturereading.Then,multiplythatnumberby5/9.Forexample,77°F-32=45.45×5/9=25°C.
ToconvertdegreesCelsiustodegreesFahrenheit,multiplytheCelsiustemperaturereadingby9/5.Then,add32.Forexample,25°C×9/5=45.45+
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32=77°F.
MetricPlywoodPanelsMetricplywoodpanelsarecommonlyavailableintwosizes:1,200mm×2,400mmand1,220mm×2,400mm,whichisroughlyequivalenttoa4×8-ft.sheet.StandardandSelectsheathingpanelscomeinstandardthicknesses,whileSandedgradepanelsareavailableinspecialthicknesses.
STANDARDSHEATHINGGRADE SANDEDGRADE7.5mm (5/16in.) 6mm (4/17in.)9.5mm (3/8in.) 8mm (5/16in.)12.5mm (1/2in.) 11mm (7/16in.)15.5mm (5/8in.) 14mm (9/16in.)18.5mm (3/4in.) 17mm (2/3in.)20.5mm (13/16in.) 19mm (3/4in.)22.5mm (7/8in.) 21mm (13/16in.)25.5mm (1in.) 24mm (15/16in.)
LumberDimensions
NOMINAL-U.S. ACTUAL-U.S.(ININCHES) METRIC1×2 3/4×1-1/2 19×38mm1×3 3/4×2-1/2 19×64mm1×4 3/4×3-1/2 19×89mm1×6 3/4×5-1/2 19×140mm1×8 3/4×7-1/4 19×184mm1×10 3/4×9-1/4 19×235mm
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1×12 3/4×11-1/4 19×286mm1-1/4×4 1×3-1/2 25×89mm1-1/4×6 1×5-1/2 25×140mm1-1/4×8 1×7-1/4 25×184mm1-1/4×10 1×9-1/4 25×235mm1-1/4×12 1×11-1/4 25×286mm1-1/2×4 1-1/4×3-1/2 32×89mm1-1/2×6 1-1/4×5-1/2 32×140mm1-1/2×8 1-1/4×7-1/4 32×184mm1-1/2×10 1-1/4×9-1/4 32×235mm1-1/2×12 1-1/4×11-1/4 32×286mm
2×4 1-1/2×3-1/2 38×89mm2×6 1-1/2×5-1/2 38×140mm2×8 1-1/2×7-1/4 38×184mm2×10 1-1/2×9-1/4 38×235mm2×12 1-1/2×11-1/4 38×286mm3×6 2-1/2×5-1/2 64×140mm4×4 3-1/2×3-1/2 89×89mm4×6 3-1/2×5-1/2 89×140mm6×6 5-1/2×5-1/2 140×140mm
LiquidMeasurementEquivalents
1Pint =16FluidOunces =2Cups1Quart =32FluidOunces =2Pints1Gallon =128FluidOunces =4Quarts
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ResourcesBlack&DeckerPortablepowertoolswww.blackanddecker.com800-544-6986
BracketreeGarnierLimbtreebracketswww.treehouses.com/treehouse/construction/bracketree.html541-592-2208
FehrBros.IndustriesHardware(cablesties,etc.)fortrees:www.fehr.com/?d=treecare800-431-3095
NationalResourceCenterforHealthandSafetyinChildCareRecommendationsforgroundcoversunderplayequipmenthttp://nrckids.org/800-598-5437
RedWingShoesCo.Workshoesandbootsshownthroughoutbookwww.redwingshoes.com800-733-9464
SimpsonStrongTieLumberconnectorhardwarewww.strongtie.com800-999-5099
TheTreehouseGuideOn-linetreehouseinformationandlinkswww.thetreehouseguide.com
ThroughtheRoofClearroofsealantSashco,Inc.www.sashcosealants.com800-289-7290
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USPConnectorsLumberhangersandholddownsModelTDX2www.USPconnectors.com800-328-5934
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PhotoCreditsAlamywww.alamy.compage12(top):©NinaBuesing/Alamy;page15(topright):©PaulBradforth/Alamy.
BarbaraButlerArtist-Builder,Inc.www.barbarabutler.comSanFrancisco,CApages8,9(top),16(bottom),18(bottom):©BarbaraButlerArtist-Builder.
PhotolibraryGroupLtd.pages10,11(topleftandright),13(bottomleftandtop):©JulietteWade/GardenPictureLibrary/Photolibrary.com;page13(bottomright):©MarkBolton/GardenPictureLibrary/Photolibrary.com;page19(bottom):©AnnCutting/Botanica/Photolibrary.com.
Istockphoto.compages9(bottom),145(bottomleftandbottomright):©MaryMartin,istockphoto.com.
MomoProductionspage105:©Photonica/GettyImages.
SergioPiumattiRichardson,TXpages14(both),15(topleft,bottom):©SergioPiumatti.
Shutterstock.compage144.
AndreaRuggMinneapolis,MNpages11(bottom),12(bottom),18(top),19(top),40:©AndreaRugg.
JessieWalkerwww.jessiewalker.com
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pages16(top),17(both):©JessieWalker.
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IndexAaccessclimbingnets,8–9,15climbingwalls,150–53designof,38,41gablehouseproject,194–95gates,182,185ladders,126–29openairproject,183safetyand,53,113stairs,130–33
accessories.SeeplaygroundfeaturesA-framewithwalkoutdeck,200–203anchoringtechniquesbasics,59–60gablehouseproject,189–90multipletreeexamples,76–77,79,81openairproject,171–76singletreeexamples,68–69,71–73supportpostexamples,81typesof,61–64
arborists,21–22,26,41,59,185architecturalsalvage,36,107,193Ashleystopperknot,143asphaltshingles,123
Bbattendoors,115bird’smouthcuts,117blockandtackles,57,92bowlineknots,56buildingcodes,14,24,29buttonswings,140–43
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Ccables,48-49.Seealsohardwarecedarroofshingles,124cedarshinglesiding,89chains,48.Seealsohardwareclimbingnets/ramps,8–9,15climbingwalls,150–53compositionshingles,180conicalroofs,35constructiondoorsandwindows,104–9,113–15railings,93roofframing,116–21safetyand,54–55sheathingandroofing,122–25shelvesandtables,96–103sidingandtrim,87–91stairs,130–33walls,83–86,92
cornershelves,98–99curvedwalls,32,86cutouts,108–9
Ddeckinginstallationabout,65gablehouseproject,190multipletreeexamples,76,79,81openairproject,178singletreeexamples,65,69,73supportpostexamples,81
decks,17,39designconsiderationsfor,28,40–43decks,17,39doorsandwindows,36–37,104–5interiors,16roofs,34–35safetyand,50–53,57
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walls,30–32,42discswings,140–43doorsconstruction,113–15designof,36–37,104–5gablehouseproject,194handbuilt,11,36,106–9safetyand,53securing,37trimand,91
doublebowlineknots,140double-rungladders,126–27Dutchdoors,37,115,193
Eelectricity,16,29elevationdrawings,44.Seealsoplansenclosedwalls,30
Ffireman’spoles,135fixedanchors,61.Seealsoanchoringtechniquesflat-rungladders,128flip-downtable/bunk,102–3flip-uppanels,32flip-uptables,100–101floorplans,45.Seealsoplansfour-treeshanty,216–19framingclimbingwalls,151gablehouseproject,189–90multipletreeexamples,76,79openairproject,177–79roofs,116–21singletreeexamples,68–69,71–73supportpostexamples,81techniquesfor,83–86walls,83–86
G
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gablehouseprojectabout,184–85framing,189–90plans,186–88roof,192–93windowsanddoor,192–94
gableroofs,34,118–19,122gableroofwithpostsproject,197–99gablewalls,85gates,182,185GLanchors,62,172Gothicarchwindowsanddoors,110–11,113groundcover,53,136
Hhalf-coveredcrow’snest,204–7handbuiltdoors/windows,11,36,106–9hanginganchors,62-64.Seealsoanchoringtechniqueshardwareanchoringhardware,62–63blockandtackle,56–57forclimbingwalls,151commonlyused,47–49GLanchors,62,172latches,37,106,111,113,115metalframingconnectors,177pulleysystems,56–57raftersquares,120ropes,137trammels,86,101,141–42forwatercannons,155–56forziplines,145
heightrestrictions,29hiproofs,34,120–22horizontalsiding,88
Iinsetdoors,113
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interiorscornershelves,98–99design,16electricity,16,29finishing,94–95flip-downtable/bunk,102–3flip-uptables,100–101lumber,462×4shelves,96–97
irregulardoors,113–14
Kkneebraces,64.Seealsoanchoringtechniquesknots,56,140,143
Lladders,38,126–29,194lapsiding,88latches,37,106,111,113,115lookouttowers,8lumber,46
Mmaintenance,54,137metalroofing,125
Nnails,47-48.Seealsohardwareneighbors,29neoprenerubber,123
Oopenairprojectanchoring,171–76decking,178framing,177–79plans,168–70roof,178–80
openwalls,31
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Ppainting,138,151,162,195plankswings,138–40plansA-framewithwalkoutdeck,200–203four-treeshanty,216–19gablehouseproject,186–88gableroofwithpostsproject,197–99half-coveredcrow’snest,204–7openairproject,168–70forplatforms,44–45,67,70,75,78,80triangulartreehut,212–15wraparoundshedonstilts,208–11
planviews,45.Seealsoplansplasticroofing,125platformsbasics,59–60gablehouseproject,189–90heightof,40multipletreeexamples,78–79openairproject,177plansfor,44–45safetyand,51singletreeexamples,67–74supportpostexamples,80–81twotreeexamples,75–77forziplines,149
playgroundfeaturesclimbingnets,8–9,15climbingwalls,150–53lookouttower,8slides,160–63speakingtubes,157–59swings,136–43watercannons,154–56ziplines,144–49
plywoodsheathing,122plywoodsiding,87
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pop-upwindows,111pruning,26,40–41pulleysystems,56–57
Rrafters,116–21raftersquares,120railings,29,53,93,181–82,194removableroofs,34roofingsealant,123roofsdesign,34–35framing,116–21gablehouseproject,192–93openairproject,178–80plansfor,44sheathingandroofing,122–25trimand,90
ropeladders,129
Ssafetyaccessand,53,113constructionand,54–55,57designand,50–53,57groundcoverand,53maintenanceand,54securityand,37,54,106ziplinesand,144
salvagedmaterials,36,107,193screws,47-48.Seealsohardwaresecurity,37,54,106setbackrestrictions,29sheathing,122–25shedroofs,34,118,122shedwalls,85shutterwindows,110–11siding,87–91
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sidingjoints,87simplicity,12,15slides,160–63slidinganchors,62.Seealsoanchoringtechniquesspantables,60speakingtubes,157–59speedsquares,120stairs,38,130–33stilts,17,208–11sunlight,41supportmultipletrees,13,23,78–79stilts,17,208–11supportposts,13,43,80–81,173–75Seealsoanchoringtechniques
swing-outbraces,101swings,136–43
Ttraditionaldoors,115trammels,86,101,141–42trapdoors,134treehousetypesA-framewithwalkoutdeck,200–203CapeCodstyle,18chalet-inspired,13exampleswithsupportposts,80–81,204–7,212–19four-treeshanty,216–19gabledhouse,184–85,197–99half-coveredcrow’snest,204–7multipletree,75–79,216–19openair,167–70singletreeexamples,67–74,167–70,184–85,197–99,204–11triangulartreehut,212–15wraparoundshedonstilts,208–11
treemovement,25,60treesanatomyof,22,25
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choosing,21–25,27grooming,26sizeof,7–8,20,23,63speciesof,27
triangulartreehut,212–15trim,90–91,112,1952×4shelves,96–97
Wwallsconstructionof,83–86,92,151designof,30–32,42drawingplansfor,44gablehouseproject,191
watercannons,154–56windowsconstruction,84,106–7cutouts,108–9designof,36,104–5gablehouseproject,193safetyand,53shuttersandpop-ups,110–11trimand,91
wraparoundshedonstilts,208–11
Zziplines,144–49zoningcodes,24,29
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CompleteGuidetoaBetterLawnCompleteGuidetoBuiltInsCompleteGuidetoCarpentryforHomeownersCompleteGuidetoCeramicTileCodesforHomeownersCompleteGuidetoDecksCompleteGuidetoFinishingBasementsCompleteGuidetoFlooringCompleteGuidetoGaragesCompleteGuidetoGardenWalls&FencesCompleteGuidetoGazebos&ArborsCompleteGuidetoaGreenHomeCompleteGuidetoGreenhouses&GardenProjectsCompleteGuidetoKitchensCompleteGuidetoLandscapeProjectsCompleteGuidetoMasonry&StoneworkCompleteGuidetoOutdoorCarpentryCompleteGuidetoPatios&WalkwaysCompleteGuidetoPlumbingCompleteGuidetoRoofing&SidingCompleteGuidetoRoomAdditionsCompleteGuidetoShedsCompleteGuidetoWindows&EntrywaysCompleteGuidetoWiringCompleteOutdoorBuilderCompletePhotoGuidetoHomeRepairCompletePhotoGuidetoHomeImprovementCompletePhotoGuidetoSheds,Barns&OutbuildingsAdvancedHomeWiringTrim&FinishCarpentryWorkingWithDrywall
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