Treehouses aren’t simply for children. They can be for adults too! Having a large tree on your property is the perfect opportunity to build a house around the branches. But if you’re not sure how to get started then the tips in this article will help you.
You’ll learn how to start building the foundation of your tree house and what equipment to use if you want your structure higher up the branches. For example, opt for mobile crane hire Melbourne homeowners use for renovations or DIY projects. Curious? Keep reading to find out more!
Pick the Right Tree in Your Garden
For the treehouse to be stable you must find a tree in your garden with multiple branches. You also want the branches to run slightly outward so you can build a big platform. The best trees are those that have three trunks running from the base. But you can also build a house spanning multiple trees that are spaced close together.
Ideally, you want to build your house in a tree that is at least 3m tall with branches about 30cm in diameter for maximum support. The best trees to build small houses in are:
- Maple
- Hemlock
- Oak
- Beech
It should be noted that if you want to build your treehouse you will often need to seek permission from your city’s council.
Draw a Rough Sketch of Your Design
Before you start building your treehouse you should draw a rough sketch of the structure. This will help you design a house that will fit perfectly in the tree you have. For example, if the tree has more branches you’ll need to design a structure that you can build around or on top of them.
The sketch will act as a blueprint for the:
- Size treehouse you want to build
- Shape of the structure
- Extras you’d like to add at a later stage
- Side you want your entrance to be on
You don’t have to be a professional draughtsman to draw blueprints of your treehouse. The sketch simply gives you an overview of how your treehouse will look once it’s built, helping you plan the building process.
Buy the Materials and Hire Equipment
Now that you have a basic idea of what your treehouse will look like, it’s time to buy the material and hire the equipment you need to build your structure. For extra convenience, safety and to speed up the process, opt for mini crane hire Melbourne locals use to build their small structures.
A crane can help you safely hoist material up into the tree so you can start building your structure. To build your tree house you’ll need the following:
- Pressure treated lumber
- Decking material
- Nails
- Galvanised lag screws and washers
- Galvanised rafter ties
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Saw
- Tape measure
- Cordless drill
- Adjustable wrench
You can also reuse or recycle old material for treehouses such as old wood from pallets or furniture.
Mount the Main Supports First
When you begin to build your treehouse you want to mount the main support first so you have something to attach the deck to. Begin by attaching a piece of wood on either side of the tree horizontally. Use a level to attach the planks straight.
Secure the wood with screws and use a wrench to tighten the nails. The support is to give a secure foundation for your deck.
Layout and Build the Platform
The platform of the treehouse can be built on the ground. Lay out the planks next to each other and leave small gaps between them for drainage. Then secure the planks with nails.
Now you’ll need to secure four planks to the support of your treehouse, not flat but upright. The edge of the planks should be resting on the support planks.
Attach Your Platform to the Support
Using a mini crane you can hoist the platform that you’ve built off the ground. This will make it easier to secure the platform to your support structure. You can use rafter ties to hold your platform in place while you nail it to the support structure. Also, you may need to add bracing at the bottom of your platform to create a more stable structure.
Add an Entrance and a Railing
You can add a ladder or build a stairway to the top of the treehouse. For safety, ensure you add a railing so people have a way to pull themselves up the ladder or stairs. You can secure an already-made ladder by nailing it to your treehouse.
Build Your Roof
You can either build a roof with more wooden planks or stretch thick canvas material across poles to create shelter. Ensure your roof slopes so that it doesn’t capture water when it rains. If it’s not too heavy, you can build a pergola-like structure and place a sheet of metal on top. Ensure you secure the sheet of metal to the pergola.
Final Thoughts
After building your treehouse you can add decorations such as fairy lights, cushions or sheer curtains. Use the tips in this article to help you build a small house in your tree for children or as an extra entertainment area for adults. Who says treehouses aren’t for grownups too?
