First cut them roughly to size, being generous. Oldest first, -1) ? Are you sure you want to submit this vote? Enter your email to follow new comments on this article. Finally, we used the same overlapping planking to cover the lower half of the walls, then made a ladder out of decking planking. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. We made the trap door from offcuts of decking and some pine planking, screwing it all together. Since 1st October 2008, you need to get planning permission for any raised ‘verandas, balconies or raised platforms’. If the ground is soft, use a board to stop the feet of the ladders from sinking in. www.independentbooksdirect.co.uk. We ended up using three leads attached to each other and a double socket on the end. try again, the name must be unique, Please We would advise using Perspex. You really don't want something this heavy to fall down with children in it. Take snacks – all that fresh air will give you an appetite. For a previous job, we had attached a table saw to an old table and it proved extremely useful to be able to cut wood as required. In fact, to reach the highest point of the roof, we had to stand on the window ledges, make a loop out of the rope and sit on the loop as we leaned out. Building a decent treehouse is really hard. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies It probably never will be though – it is far too heavy. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'diydoctor_org_uk-under_first_paragraph','ezslot_2',661,'0','0']));Don't want to do this job yourself? To prevent the trap door dropping on small fingers, it's worthwhile counterweighting it. Trees are hardy things and they will take bolts being fixed to them. Building a decent treehouse is really hard. Download the Planning Advice Note, which contains a checklist of all the documents you will need. Don't fancy doing this project yourself? "Raised" is defined as anything over 30cm. Along with a canoe or a small sailing dinghy, a treehouse is still one of the best things you could possibly have. Use a spirit level to be certain they are all at the same height, or your roof will be uneven. When the four diagonals are in place, the platform cannot tip without actually crushing one of them. The health of the tree you select is absolutely crucial for building a foundation for your treehouse. Once the four walls are in place and solid, you can think about the roof. It takes something like 60 man hours start to finish and costs more than £100 in wood and materials. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to will be published daily in dedicated articles. When it comes to windows you have the choice of leaving them as just an opening or you can construct proper opening windows. For that little more expense you might just stop everything falling out of the tree. The first task is cutting a ninety-degree triangle with two saw lines. Step 5: Finishing Touches. Rather than being another example of our usual overkill, this was used to support the decking. Newest first, -1) ? Building a Tree House – Our DIY Project for Building Your Treehouse, General Building, Self Build and Renovation, Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety, Let us help you find a tradesman local to you, How to Stain Timber Decking – How to Stain and Protect Your Timber Decking and When to do it, Using a Jigsaw to Cut Wood, Metal and Plastic and Also An Explanation of the Different Jigsaw Blades Available and What They Should be Used for, Ladder Safety and How to Clean Gutters Safely – How to Strap Your Ladder to a Wall and Ensure That it Does not Slip, Types of Screw for Different Uses – What Type of Screw Should be Used for What Kind of Job or Material Being Screwed, How to Build a Simple Rope Ladder for a Kids Treehouse, Sailing Yacht, Obstacle Course or any Other Climbing Activity, How To Stain Timber Decking - How To Stain And Protect Your Timber Decking And When To Do It, Ladder Safety And How To Clean Gutters Safely - How To Strap Your Ladder To A Wall And Ensure That It Does Not Slip, Types Of Screw For Different Uses - What Type Of Screw Should Be Used For What Kind Of Job Or Material Being Screwed, Using A Jigsaw To Cut Wood, Metal And Plastic And Also An Explanation Of The Different Jigsaw Blades Available And What They Should Be Used For.