Steps
Before You Begin
1. Do your homework. Careful planning and research is essential to building a treehouse that is safe and stable, will not damage your tree, and will not lead to legal or other problems down the road. Consider the following before beginning any kind of construction.
2. Check with your local planning department. Take the time to learn about local regulations or ordinances that may be relevant to your treehouse project, such as height restrictions. You may even need a permit to build. If you have protected trees on your property, there may be restrictions on building in them.
3. Talk to your neighbors. As a courtesy, it's a good idea to speak with your neighbors and let them know your plans. If your treehouse will be visible from or overlook a neighbor's property, they will be glad you're taking their opinion into consideration. This simple step can head off future complaints and even potential lawsuits.
4. Talk to your insurance agent. Avoid unpleasant surprises. Make a quick call to your insurance agent to make sure a treehouse is covered under your homeowner's policy.
5. Choose the right tree. Make sure you have a sturdy, healthy, mature, living tree. Good trees are oak, maple, fir and apple. It's a good idea to have an arborist inspect your tree before you start building. An ideal tree has the following qualities:
- A strong, sturdy trunk and branches
- Roots that are deep and well-established- No evidence of disease or parasites that could weaken the tree
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Making A Plan
1. Choose your tree and design. Every successful building project starts with a good design. When you build a treehouse, you must take the tree into account when choosing a design.
- For a standard 8'x8' treehouse, choose a tree with a trunk at least 12" in diameter.
- Look for treehouse designs online, or if you're handy, create your own.
- Make accurate measurements to ensure your design will work with the tree you've selected.
- You may find it helpful to make a small cardboard model of your tree and treehouse to identify any potential issue areas.
- In creating your design, don't forget to plan for tree growth. Allow ample space around the trunk of the tree for the tree to grow. It's worth doing some research on your specific tree species to determine its growth rate.
2. Decide on your support method. There are several ways to support your treehouse. Whatever method you choose, it's important to remember that trees move with the wind. Sliding joists or brackets are essential to make sure your tree and treehouse are not damaged by winds.
- Post method - This method involves sinking support posts into the ground close to the tree, rather than attaching anything to the tree itself. It is the least damaging to the tree.
- Suspension method - In this method, you would suspend the treehouse from strong, high branches using cables, rope or chains. This method will not work for every design, and it is not ideal for treehouses that are meant to carry any significant weight.
3. Decide on your access method. You will need a ladder or some other way to access your treehouse. It's important that your access method is safe and sturdy, which rules out the traditional treehouse ladder - boards nailed to the tree trunk. Some safer ideas are:
- Standard ladder - Purchase or build a standard ladder for climbing up to your treehouse. A ladder made for bunk beds or loft beds might work well.
- Staircase - If it's compatible with your treehouse design, a small staircase might be the best option. Make sure to include a railing for safety.
photos by wikihow.com
The most simple treehouse is a raised platform built around the trunk of a tree. This is sometimes also called a tree fort. Here are basic guidelines for building your treehouse.
1. Get the right materials. Based on your measurements and plans, purchase the materials you need for your treehouse. In general, you will need:
- 4x6s for support beams/posts
- 2x8s for framing and platform construction
exterior plywood sheets or other material for the floor
- 4x4s for the railing posts
- 2x6s for the horizontal rails
- 2x2s for the railing balusters
- Sliding joints/brackets, lag bolts, decking screws and any other needed hardware
2. Build your treehouse. Follow your plan carefully while building your treehouse, and remember these tips.
- Measure your wood carefully. The old adage, "Measure twice, cut once" applies to all construction projects.
- Use screws or bolts, not nails, unless otherwise specified in your plans.
- Leave a 1/2" gap between the floor boards for drainage.
3. Keep safety in mind. Falling out is one of the biggest hazards of a treehouse. Take these precautions to make sure anyone who uses the treehouse stays safe.
- Don't build too high. Building your treehouse too high could be dangerous. If your treehouse is going to be used mostly by children, the platform should not be any higher than 6-8 feet.
- Construct a safe railing. The point of your railing, of course, is to make sure that the treehouse's occupants don't fall out. Make sure the railing around your platform is at least 36" high, with balusters no more than 4" apart.
- Cushion a fall. Surround the area below the treehouse with a soft natural material like wood mulch. This won't entirely prevent injury, but it will provide some cushioning for a fall.
Deluxe Treehouse
If you've got a more private hideout in mind, you'll need a treehouse with walls and a roof. Read on for basic guidelines for building a deluxe treehouse.
1. Choose a proper tree. A larger, heavier structure requires a larger tree for support. For a deluxe treehouse, you will need either
- One tree with two or more trunks or upright branches, or
- Two (or three) trees growing close together
2. Have fun with the design. A deluxe treehouse allows much more room for creativity than a basic treehouse. Depending on your ambition or skill level, you can add windows that open, a skylight, decorative trim, a trap door, or just about any extra detail within your ability.
3. Get the right materials. You will need more materials - both in quantity and type - for a deluxe treehouse. Based on your measurements and plans, purchase the materials you need for your treehouse. In general, you will need:
- 4x6s for support beams/posts
- 2x8s for framing and deck construction
exterior plywood sheets or other material for the floor
- 4x4s for the railing posts
- 2x6s for the horizontal rails
- 2x2s for the railing balusters
- 2x4s for framing the roof
- Plastic, glass or mesh screening for windows
- A door for the doorway
- Plywood, corrugated plastic or metal, or canvas for roofing
- Sliding joints/brackets, lag bolts, decking screws and any other needed hardware
4. Build your treehouse. Follow your plan carefully while building your treehouse, and remember these tips.
- Measure your wood carefully. The old adage, "Measure twice, cut once" applies to all construction projects.
- Use screws or bolts, not nails, unless otherwise specified in your plans.
- Leave a 1/2" gap between the floor boards for drainage.
- Make sure to pitch your roof at least 30 degrees to allow rain and snow to run off.
5. Keep safety in mind. Falling out is one of the biggest hazards of a treehouse. Take these precautions to make sure anyone who uses the treehouse stays safe.
- Don't build too high. Building your treehouse too high could be dangerous. If your treehouse is going to be used mostly by children, the platform should not be any higher than 6-8 feet.
- Construct a safe railing. The point of your railing, of course, is to make sure that the treehouse's occupants don't fall out. Make sure the railing around your platform is at least 36" high, with balusters no more than 4" apart.
- Cushion a fall. Surround the area below the treehouse with a soft natural material like wood mulch. This won't entirely prevent injury, but it will provide some cushioning for a fall.
- Keep your structure as lightweight as possible. The heavier your treehouse, the more support it will need, and the more potential damage it cam cause to the tree. If you put furniture in your treehouse, buy the lightest weight furniture that is reasonable.
- Most hardware stores will not carry lag bolts large enough for a treehouse project. Source this hardware online from a custom treehouse builder.
- If you are bolting directly into your tree use fewer, bigger fasteners rather than a bunch of small ones. Otherwise, the tree will be more likely to treat the whole area of attachment as one wound and the entire area will decay.
Warnings
- Never climb on the roof of a treehouse.
- Never jump out of a treehouse to the ground. Always use the ladder or stairs.
- Reclaimed wood is eco-friendly but may not be as strong as new wood. Use caution when choosing reclaimed wood, and don't use it for any load-bearing parts of your treehouse.
Things You'll Need
- Materials as specified above, or in your plans
- Measuring tape
- Drill and drill bits
- Table saw
- Hammer or nail gun
- Ladders
- Wrenches and sockets
Article and photos by wikihow.com
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