My son wants a tree house, but the only trees we have do not have branches low (mostly wild cherry trees and oaks). So I am thinking of trying to build him and elevated playhouse. I am looking for any pics or ideas any of you might have. I was thinking of making it 6' x 8', about 6' to 8' off of the ground. I thought I could use 4 x 4 posts or 4 x 6 posts, but don't know whether to use 4 or 6 posts. SHould I use treated lumber for all of the framing or would regular lumber work for the floor joists and studs for the walls? I was thinking of using t-111 for the siding. Thanks for any input and pics.
Elevated playhouse ideas
- Thread starter jd0716
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Tororider
Veteran Member
Check out Eddie's over the top blind, sounds like exactly what you are looking for just a different use.
dave1949
Super Star Member
It will last a lot longer if you frame/joist it with treated lumber. I wouldn't use treated on the flooring, they don't even recommend letting your pets lay on treated lumber. It's not as bad as it used to be with arsenic, but better to be safe.
Sort of depends on how long you think it will be used. If your kids will outgrow it in 5-6 yrs, then regular lumber would be fine and lot cheaper.
A swing underneath is fun if your boy is not too old yet.
Dave.
Sort of depends on how long you think it will be used. If your kids will outgrow it in 5-6 yrs, then regular lumber would be fine and lot cheaper.
A swing underneath is fun if your boy is not too old yet.
Dave.
dave1949
Super Star Member
I am out of practice on this, my 'boys' are 30 and 35.
I wonder how difficult it would be to build one of those 'rock climbing' walls up one side? Those look like fun. I guess to keep it interesting, the hand/foot holds would need to be movable to create new patterns.
A climbing rope could be good.
Dave.
dave1949
Super Star Member
A fire house pole to slide down should be about irresistable for an 8 yr old. If you have a commercial fencing company around, you can buy large diameter galvanized in long lengths. It comes in various wall thicknesses and is pricey for the thick wall stuff.
I would put a thick bed of sawdust or bark mulch under/around to provide cushioned landings, like they use in city park playground areas.
I am thinking you need to go higher than 6-8 feet. Maybe 10 or 12 feet high. Of course, that's for you to judge as a parent. If you angle the posts in 10-15 degrees as they go up to the floor level, you will have a stronger structure using lighter and less expensive materials. A trapezoid rather than a pyramid shape would be easier to build.
Dave.
I would put a thick bed of sawdust or bark mulch under/around to provide cushioned landings, like they use in city park playground areas.
I am thinking you need to go higher than 6-8 feet. Maybe 10 or 12 feet high. Of course, that's for you to judge as a parent. If you angle the posts in 10-15 degrees as they go up to the floor level, you will have a stronger structure using lighter and less expensive materials. A trapezoid rather than a pyramid shape would be easier to build.
Dave.
tornadowatchranch
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http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/139098-utility-pole-tree-fort.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/139822-utility-pole-fort-begun-pics.html
here was my build. I built it high enough to stand up (adult) underneath and also in it.
mine ended up being about 10 by 11 with a floor about 7 1/2 high to the decking. If you can use an impact wrench for the big bolts. There is also much discussion about the new treated wood and needing to use hot dipped bolts. I decided to overbuild now as I hope my grandkids will be using it. It I had to do it over I would leave a 2 inch gap between the floor and the fencing I used for the enclosure as it would be easier to clear leaves in the fall
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/139822-utility-pole-fort-begun-pics.html
here was my build. I built it high enough to stand up (adult) underneath and also in it.
mine ended up being about 10 by 11 with a floor about 7 1/2 high to the decking. If you can use an impact wrench for the big bolts. There is also much discussion about the new treated wood and needing to use hot dipped bolts. I decided to overbuild now as I hope my grandkids will be using it. It I had to do it over I would leave a 2 inch gap between the floor and the fencing I used for the enclosure as it would be easier to clear leaves in the fall
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dodge man
Super Star Member
You might just look at one of the kits from Lowes, Home Depot etc. Thats what I put up for my kids. Mine came with all treated stuff, swings, slide etc. They don't really charge a premimum for the kit, they just charge for the materials.
