For children, there are few things more fun than having a treehouse in the yard! This seemingly simple structure can be an escape, hangout spot, game room, playhouse, and a source of great excitement for children. If one is considering providing their kids with such a space, building a treehouse can be an interesting collaborative project for the whole family. Additionally, a few simple treehouse-building ideas can help one construct a safe structure.
1. Choose the right tree
The process of building a treehouse begins with an obvious yet crucial step—finding the right tree. To ensure that the treehouse will be a safe and secure structure, one needs to build it on a tree that is sturdy enough to support the load and construction. Also, one must choose a tree with a deep root system, which essentially acts as a strong foundation. So, without a deep root system, the tree might not be able to withstand strong winds and storms. Based on these factors, trees such as oak, maple, hickory, Douglas fir, and beech are known to be able to support a tree house.
Even if one finds a tree that checks the right boxes, one must examine the structure for any storm damage. Trees that lean or have broken or dangling branches could have endured storm and lightning damage, and as a result, they might not be safe or strong enough to support a treehouse.
2. Make a sketch
After selecting a strong, damage-free tree, one can begin drafting detailed plans for the kids’ treehouse. First, one must make a rough sketch of the treehouse with the design features one has in mind. To make the process more exciting for kids, one can involve them in the planning and ask them to suggest features they want in the treehouse. Once the sketch is ready, one can make a blueprint of the treehouse with proper measurements and dimensions for every section of the structure. To ease the planning process, one can seek professional assistance and/or refer to easily available ready-made outdoor treehouse designs for children.
3. Make a list of the required tools
Before starting the construction, one must have a complete list of all the essential materials. One should also review the list multiple times to ensure they didn’t miss anything. This will make it easier to acquire all the tools beforehand and avoid any delays in the treehouse construction process due to the unavailability of parts. A few basic tools that one would need to build a treehouse include a ladder, tape measure, power drill, joist hangers, fasteners, rafter ties, deck screws, washers, and lag bolts.
4. Consider the overall load and stability
When laying the foundation and building the platform for the treehouse, one needs to ensure that the base is stable enough to support the load of the whole structure as well as people. If one is trying to construct a small treehouse, they can make the structure stable by distributing the load of the treehouse evenly across multiple branches and supporting beams from underneath the platform to level it. For a bigger treehouse, one might need to expand the construction to multiple trees.
5. Prioritize safety
To build a kid-friendly treehouse, one must ensure the space is as safe as possible. One can start by thoroughly checking the tree branches that will be a part of the treehouse. One must only build the structure around the branches that are as strong and sturdy as possible. Then, one must consider adding ground support to the structure so the branches do not tackle all the load. This makes the treehouse more stable and secure. Also, one must avoid drilling too many holes into the tree trunk or the branches, as that could reduce the tree’s stability.
Along with structural safety, one must consider the kids’ safety. For instance, if the treehouse has a deck, it is important to add railings so the kids can play safely without falling. Adding a safe, soft landing under the treehouse is also important. For this, one can use materials such as wood mulch. One can also consider installing a safety net under the treehouse.
Another crucial safety tip to follow when building a tree house is to avoid building the structure too high. A height of 6 to 8 feet is usually recommended, as this lowers the risk of serious harm and ensures that kids can get to the treehouse easily.
6. Add fun features to the treehouse
Treehouses can be made more exciting for kids with a few features. For example, adding a swing under the treehouse on one of the neighboring branches of the same tree. A tire swing also works here. One can also consider adding string lights to the treehouse to give the space a more magical, dreamy, and fun look.
To take all the right measures and avoid common mistakes when opting for DIY treehouse construction, one should seek professional or expert assistance. Anyone with enough experience in constructing treehouses would be able to offer step-by-step instructions for building a kid-friendly structure. Additionally, they may be able to suggest budget-friendly construction strategies to help one build an inexpensive treehouse.