Playhouse for daughter

Squished · 10-22-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Style

I'm finally getting around to actually doing this project. I think I will go with a simple slanted roof, something like this image:

Question: Does it matter which direction you slant the roof? What considerations are there besides how it looks?

Also how much over hang would you recommend per side? The structure is 6x6x6.

Thanks!

Cool project....but I just needed to comment that it looks like an outhouse you're building there.

Style · 10-22-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption

Lumber is sold in a Min. of 8' lenghts so why would you make it 6 X 6?

The plan I'm following is for 6x6:

http://www.buildeazy.com/newplans/playhouse_6x6_1.html

I bought 12 ft boards and just cut em in half. Easy peasy.

Style · 10-22-2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squished

Cool project....but I just needed to comment that it looks like an outhouse you're building there.

That image is just to illustrate the slanted roof. This is what the project is supposed to look like when finished:

I opted for the slanted roof because it's less than half the work. Less lumber too.

Style · 10-22-2012, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption

Make sure to use pressure treated lumber for the floor joist.

Hmmm, I see that the plan I'm referencing calls for treated wood for the floor as well. I take it that is important? What if you just put some Thompson's water seal on em? I already assembled that frame and put Thompson's water seal on it. It wouldn't be the end of the world to have to do it over again, as I've not put the walls on top of it yet, but if I can get away with Thompson's water seal that work wouldn't be wasted. Please advise.

Thanks!

Style · 10-28-2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption

At least 6" over hang would be good on all sides.

Would 12" overhang on all sides be too much? With a 6'x6' structure and 1' overhang, that makes an 8x8 roof. Plywood comes in 4x8, so two sheets make 8x8. And as you say, lumber can be purchased at length 8'.

If I go with a 6" overhang then I'm looking at a 7'x7' roof and several more cuts, but again is 12" too much overhang?

Thanks a million!

Mort · 10-29-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Style

My one and only child is 6 years old. I can imagine she'll still be using it 10 years from now. What would it take for it to last 10 years?

Considering what she'll be using it for at age 16, you may want it to fall down at that point.

Style · 10-30-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mort

Considering what she'll be using it for at age 16, you may want it to fall down at that point.

LOL! Thanks, I needed that!

My neighbor had a good point. When she stops using it I could turn it into a storage shed. This would require putting in a door and windows, or at least sealing up the windows. It's a thought, anyway.

md2lgyk · 10-30-2012, 12:15 PM

Do you realize you may need a building permit for this?? Crazy, I know, but true. You'd have to where I live.

Style · 10-31-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by md2lgyk

Do you realize you may need a building permit for this?? Crazy, I know, but true. You'd have to where I live.

I checked all of that all ready with the local government. I don't need one where I live, surprisingly. It's not big enough to require one. I had a harder time with my HOA. Had to fill out a bunch of paper work, provide a copy of my building plan, get signatures from neighbors, and wait for the board to approve it.

md2lgyk · 10-31-2012, 08:42 AM

Good. Sounds like you did your "homework."

Style · 11-05-2012, 09:49 AM

I have the four walls up now. Before I put on the roof, I have a question:

Three of the corners of the structure come together flush, with the wall frames in direct contact at the bottom all the way up to the top. But one of the corners, while touching at the bottom, has about a half inch gap at the top due to the wood not being perfectly straight. Should I squeeze the top together, and then nail them together (via nail plates) so that wall frames are flush from top to bottom, against the natural curve of the wood, or is it ok to leave them with a gap?

Thanks!