In my day, building a treehouse was like a standard part of growing up. In my old neighborhood alone, there were at least half a dozen treehouses of varying shapes and sizes, including the one my brothers and I built in the early 1970s.
Our treehouse was by no means a mansion in the sky or a sandpiper resort with all the amenities. It was a simple platform about 15 feet off the ground, with no roof or sides, yet we loved it because it was something we had built with our own hands. We made it, maintained it,and we were free to do with it as we pleased. That little platform in the air was our kingdom.
Building a treehouse can be a wonderful bonding experience and once the project is completed it brings a great sense of pride and accomplishment. If you and your family are thinking about building a treehouse here are some of the basic guidelines to follow.
Steps to Building a Treehouse
1) Check the building regulations in your area
Before starting any type of construction project, you should always make sure to check what the planning/building regulations in your area are. Also, it’s a good idea to let your neighbours know you are going to be building a treehouse in your yard. You will probably be making more noise than usual and you also want to give them the chance to express any concerns, if any.
2) Pick your tree
The tree that you choose must be very sturdy and thick with solid branches that will be able to support the weight of the house. Make sure that it is a healthy tree with no rot, diseases or parasites. If you are planning to make a very large treehouse, building between two trees is best. Again, be sure they are both dense and durable. A treehouse is generally around 6 feet off the ground but you can make it as high or low as you want, depending on the size of the tree of course.
3) Design the treehouse plan
If want an easy and fast way to sketch out a design for your treehouse, I suggest using Google’s free tool Google SketchUp. First get your tree measurements. If you want you can also draw the layout on squared paper, starting by the layout the floor. Have separate designs for each section of the treehouse (supports, floors, walls, roof). This will allow you to determine how much material you are going to need as well as the approximate cost for the entire project.
4) Get tools & materials
The essential tools you will need: hammer, saw, measuring tape, ladder, framing wood, plywood, bolts, metal corner brackets. Also consider power tools: circular saw, variable speed reversible drill, or even an electric jigsaw.
5) Start building
• Build as many sections of your treehouse on the ground. It is both safer and easier. Start by building the platform and erecting the posts. The four posts will act as legs to support the floor of the tree house. Next, mount the beams on the platform with the help of bolts and set the bolts at least 12 inches from each other. Then, secure the platform near the trunk of the tree with diagonal bracing, such as galvanized or stainless steel fasteners.
• Once the platform is erected, a partial or complete enclosure can be built on top. It is then up to you to add windows and doors.
• Provide access to the treehouse by constructing a wooden ladder. You can also use rope if you prefer.
• Put a roof on the treehouse to protect it from rain
6) Add final touches
This is the part where you can let your kids take creative control. They can paint it, decorate it and add what ever other features to make it theirs. The main object is that the house is built sturdily and safely so that you don’t have to worry and your kids can have fun!
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