A tree house has the potential to be the ultimate hideaway, play destination, or fort for any young child. It can as well be a rewarding project for the grown-up. It takes a lot of planning and construction, but your hard work will pay off when you see the look on your child’s face.
You will need to pay special attention to details and especially neighborhood rules and regulations. Make sure you cover all of your bases before you start to build.
Find a Secure Tree
The first step in building a tree house is to find a sturdy tree to build it in. If you already have a nice tree in your backyard, that would be the perfect place to start.
You do need to make sure that it is sturdy enough to hold quite a bit of weight which will include the wood to build the house and a few children.
Safety First
It is important to keep safety in mind when picking a location for your treehouse. Make sure not to build it too high because it could be dangerous for your child.
Try to keep it within 6-8 feet tall. Also, remember to provide a safe railing for your child and their friends to climb up and down as well as place for them to fall. Places like mulch around the tree, so they won’t get hurt.
Pick a Design
There are numerous resources available when it comes to tree house blueprints and designs. There are websites such as TreeHouseGuides.com which allow you to pick the design you like then pay to download the blueprints.
Other options include more general design techniques and building strategies from books such as Tree Houses You Can Actually Build, though these books tend to have less intricate designs.
Tools and Materials
The most common materials needed are pressure treated lumber such as 2x4s, 2x8s, and plywood, as well as lag bolts and decking nails.
The amount and exact type of materials will vary greatly depending on the tree house design you pick.
Tools that you will need on hand include a measuring tape, safety glasses, saw, and hammer.
Other items that will make the project much easier can include a nail gun and compressor, drill, miter saw, circular saw, and table saw.
Those are just a few of the steps that you need in order get the tree house process started. Regardless if you go with a complicated 2 room house or simple platform with railing, building a tree house is a rewarding experience and your kids will cherish the final product for years to come!