Three Tips to Build a Kids’ Tree House
Building a backyard that is fun and safe for your kids is essential, especially with summer just around the corner. You might want to create a themed play area or set up learning zones, but the best additions to your yard will depend on your kids. In fact, more adventurous children might want trails and obstacle course to explore.
But a standard dream for many children is to enjoy a treehouse in their own backyard. If you find that your child wants this, and you want to make this dream come true, you will need to get to work. The three tips outlined below will prepare you to build a treehouse for your kids.
Pick a Suitable Tree
Before you even begin, you need to find a suitable tree for the tree house. As you can imagine, you will need to find a tree that is big and sturdy enough to hold a great deal of weight. The best type of tree with be relatively thick and well-established roots, and this is why most people will choose an oak tree. Oak trees are big and strong, and the trunk will be able to withstand wooden beams. However, you might also consider ash, beech, cedar, or maple trees.
Once you have found a tree that you believe is a good option, you will need to determine its health. You should check to ensure there are not any signs the tree has been damaged or is rotting. A damaged or rotten tree would not be able to support a treehouse, and you will want to choose a better alternative to ensure your kids are safe when they play in their new structure.
Collect the Correct Equipment
A combination of tools and materials will be needed when you are building the treehouse. Most people will use pressure-treated lumber and decking material as well as galvanized lag screws and washers. although some people will choose to cut their own wood from trees in the garden (a good chainsaw and a stump removal service will be necessary if so). It is also important to purchase galvanized joist hangers and rafter ties. The amount of these materials you will require will depend on the size of treehouse you plan to build, though, so it is best to decide this before buying the necessary materials.
With the materials, you will also need to ensure you have the correct equipment and tools to proceed with building the structure. You might get through with the bare minimum of hand tools, such as an adjustable wrench, hammer, level, saw, and tape measure. It is also necessary to use some power tools with this; essential power tools include a cordless drill and jigsaw. Yet, you might need a chainsaw, too.
If you do choose to use a chainsaw, you must ensure it is in working condition. Injuries can occur if the chainsaw is blunt, so purchasing and using a high-quality chainsaw sharpener can prevent these problems from occurring.
Keep the Structure Lightweight
As strong as the tree might be, you must ensure the structure you are building is as lightweight as possible. The treehouse will be made of wooden planks and beams, but this does not mean these parts of the structure should be overly heavy. They should be able to hold the weight of several people, but you should aim to select lighter planks when building.
If you are concerned about the weight of the treehouse, you should keep the load centered over the base of the tree. The stability of the structure will be affected if you build it more on one side of the tree, so ensure it sits in the middle of the tree. Plus, you do not want children falling out of the treehouse, and keeping the platform close to the trunk will help with this.
To conclude, by following the three tips mentioned in this post, you will be better prepared to build a treehouse for your children’s enjoyment.
