Building Your Own Treehouse: The Ultimate Guide!
You're back home, and it's filled with memories and unfinished projects. Among them, that treehouse you've always dreamed of building. The time has finally come to make that childhood dream come true! Prepare to spend many weekends up high, because building your treehouse takes time, determination, and most importantly, help.
Before You Start Building Your Treehouse
Building a treehouse is a challenge that requires a fear of heights. Here are the steps and essential elements for your future treehouse :
Choosing the Right Tree for Your Treehouse: Make sure the tree you choose for your treehouse is mature , stable , not rotten, and not prone to breakage. A tree should be able to support up to 500 kg. Not all types of trees are suitable for a treehouse treehouse platform above or below it. Below it, you will have more space.
Define the Size of Your Treehouse: Think about the maximum size of your treehouse . A treehouse can have multiple floors or platforms.
Treehouse Platforms: These will be suspended from at least three suspension points . A treehouse consists of a supporting beam, a base, and a floor covering.
Treehouse Ground Preparation: Prepare your treehouse on the ground before putting up the walls.
Essential Safety Elements for the Cabin: Mandatory railings and one or two ladders.
Your Treehouse's Personal Touches: Everything that will make your treehouse unique.
Neighborhood and Treehouse Regulations: Find out about neighborhood rules if your treehouse directly overlooks your neighbor's bedroom.
Step 1: Detailed Planning of Your Treehouse
Before you saw anything for your tree house , you need to have a clear plan .
Choosing a Location and Measurements for your Cabin:
- Take a tape measure and measure the space around the branches of your tree fork.
- The trunk must have a circumference of more than 80 cm to support your tree house .
Treehouse Sketch and Design:
- Draw a sketch of your future tree house . Let your creativity run wild!
- You can plan on paper or on a computer.
- Draw your tree with the measured dimensions (cylinder for the trunk, cylinders for the branches).
- Draw the first platform of your treehouse . You can add all the details or leave room for improvisation.
Root Protection for the Cabin:
- To protect the roots and prevent compaction of the soil at the foot of your tree house , spread wood chips .
Step 2: Preparing your Treehouse Workshop
Building a treehouse can take several weeks. To work in an organized manner and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth:
- Set up a covered workshop to build the elements of your treehouse . It doesn't need to be permanent.
- Arrange the tools at the right height to protect your back while building your tree house .
Step 3: Building the First Platform of your Treehouse
The platform on the first floor of your treehouse is made up of two identical halves that will only be connected once you're in the tree. This is essential for assembling it.
Cutting the Beams for the Cabin:
- 60 x 120 mm beams (good compromise between load and lightness) for the structure of your tree house .
- Measure, mark and saw with a radial arm saw for precise cuts.
- Number the pieces so you can easily find them when assembling your tree house .
Assembling the Cabin Base:
- For the connections of the base of your tree house , use very long screws .
- Start by gluing , then pre-drilling , then screwing .
Staining the First Half of the Cabin:
- Once the first half is assembled, stain it completely.
- Slightly raise the platform for good ventilation.
- Caution: the stain must not under any circumstances end up in groundwater.
Fabrication and Staining of the Second Half of the Cabin:
- While the first one dries, assemble the second half in exactly the same way.
- Also stain all sides of this part of your tree house .
Step 4: Preparation and Assembly of the Support Beams of your Treehouse
These beams are crucial because they are what the platforms of your tree house .
Cutting the Support Beams for the Cabin:
- The load-bearing beams should be slightly higher than the platform beams to absorb the extreme loads of your tree house .
- They must be at least one arm's length longer than your platform.
- For a nice visual appearance, you can also saw the corners.
Staining the Cabin’s Load-Bearing Beams:
- Place pads under the beams and stain them.
Making a Homemade Hoist for the Cabin:
- While the wood is drying, make a tackle with pulleys , carabiners and a rope . Measure and cut the rope.
Determining the Treehouse Suspension Points:
- On the ground, place the two support beams in the direction they will be pulled.
- Use a plumb line from the ground to help you determine the exact position of the suspension points on the tree branches that will support your treehouse .
- Make sure the branches are stable and can support your weight, that of the children and Grandpa for the future tree house !
Installing the Round Slings for the Cabin:
- Wrap a round sling around the branch and secure it with a shackle . Do the same on the other side and for a third point if necessary.
- Safety: Do not work on the tree when it is raining or wet.
Ascent of the Cabin’s Support Beams:
- Install rope cleats around the trunk to quickly secure and remove ropes.
- Prepare the threaded bars and nuts.
- Use the hoist to lift the pieces, always wearing a helmet.
- Place the beams at the correct height, balance and check the alignment for the future tree house .
Fixing the Steel Cables for the Cabin:
- Measure the distance from the suspension point to the eye nut, leaving an arm's length.
- Cut the cable with an angle grinder and wrap the cutting edges with fabric tape to avoid injury.
- Form a loop (“cable eye”) with a thimble and at least four cable clamps . The thimble is essential to avoid compressing the cable and reducing its strength.
- Secure the piece to the first suspension point. The eye nut should be turned parallel to the beam .
- Make the treehouse sturdier by using adjustable tyers for re-tensioning later.
Step 5: Assembling the First Platform of your Treehouse
This is the moment of truth for the structure of your treehouse ! You'll need muscle and dexterity.
Alignment of the Cabin’s Support Beams:
- Use auxiliary slats to force the load-bearing beams to be parallel and in the middle of the trunk.
- Mark the midpoint of the beams and the radius of the trunk in each direction.
- Screw the auxiliary slats onto the underside of the beams, at the desired length between them.
Lifting and Fixing the Cabin Platform:
- Change the hoist position so that it is in the middle and higher.
- Assemble the first half of the platform. Use one-handed clamps to hold it temporarily.
- Do the same for the second half.
- Once the two halves are on the beams, join them and align them neatly. Secure them with clamps.
Connecting the Two Halves of the Cabin:
- Align the two halves well, then fix and connect them with stainless steel screws .
- Pre-drill before screwing.
Alignment of the Cabin Base:
- Make sure the base is properly aligned with the load-bearing beams.
- Start with a single screw to connect the base and the supporting beam (pivot point).
- Rotate the base into the correct position and screw it to the support beams.
- Remove the auxiliary slats. If a screw is bent, use the chuck of the cordless screwdriver without a bit to gently remove it.
Tree Protection for the Cabin:
- If your treehouse touches the tree, protect the bark with plastic mats . The platform will move slightly with the wind and your movements.
Laying the Cabin Floor Covering:
- Start by placing some planks to get a good base.
- Screw the boards (with deck screws and cut notch, no need to pre-drill).
- Keep a uniform distance between the boards (a folding rule can help).
- Build around the tree keeping a distance of 5 cm .
- Chamfer the edges for those who love the details of their tree house .
- Flush saw the boards that are in the way of getting up/down.
Cabin Cable Tension:
- When several people are on the platform, the cable ties must be pulled to ensure tension.
- Adjust the immersion depth of the hand circular saw to the thickness of the floorboards.
Step 6: Building and Installing the Second Platform of Your Treehouse
Get ready, the second platform of your treehouse awaits!
Symmetrical Cabin Design:
- Whatever the shape, build it symmetrically and distribute an inverted axis. This is where the tree house with a small balcony will come in.
Cutting and Assembling the Cabin:
- Saw all the necessary pieces. Number them and assemble them to form a coherent whole, as for the first platform.
- Stain the platform halves.
Preparation of the Cabin’s Load-Bearing Beams:
- Completes the preparation of the supporting beams for suspension (threaded bars, nuts).
Determining the Upper Suspension Points of the Cabin:
- From the first platform, determine the suspension points for the second.
- Use a slat and a spirit level. The branches must be strong enough to support your tree house .
- Remove small, troublesome branches with a saw or Japanese saw.
Cabin Installation and Alignment:
- Hang your hoist and round slings as for the first platform.
- Place the load-bearing beams transversely to the base.
- At this height, secure yourself with a harness ! It's essential for the safety of your treehouse .
- The second platform will have an uneven load (the cabin is not in the middle), so you will only need to align it when the cabin is on it .
- Uses adjustable tyrants for precise alignment.
- Make loops in the steel cable with a thimble and cable clips on both sides.
- Attach auxiliary slats so the beams swing freely and stay in position.
- If the beams are against the tree, add more auxiliary slats to keep them apart.
- Check that the beams are straight by pulling and releasing the adjustable tyrants.
Assembly of the Cabin Platforms:
- Mount a slat that will serve as a storage surface.
- For your hoist, you need a suspension point directly above. If no branch is available, connect two round slings.
- You'll need more hands! Lift the base piece by piece, starting from the knee and keeping your back straight.
- Once the first half is on top, secure it, leaving room for the second.
- If a branch has grown where you planned the platform, improvise! Remove the pieces that don't fit and assemble them at the top.
- First connect the two platform halves of your treehouse .
Precision Work and Fixing of the Cabin:
- Align the base so that it has a large contact surface on the load-bearing beams.
- Remove the auxiliary slats from the beam that is to be moved.
- Lift the base slightly with the hoist and screw directly.
- If the cable rubs the bark, secure it briefly, move the threaded bar and tighten.
- If the base protrudes, install an additional support or a third beam.
- Once straight, screw the base with all the supporting beams.
- Stabilize your treehouse with steel cables twisted transversely to prevent friction against the bark in windy conditions.
- Install the missing beam (the one that was framed by the new branch).
Laying the Upper Floor Covering of the Cabin:
- As with the first platform, if the boards are all the same length, you can saw them on the ground.
- If the platform moves too much during installation, tighten the adjustable tensioners.
- If the upper platform protrudes, install another suspended support beam or support the platform with additional wooden posts.
- Determine the position, take measurements and mark the areas. Saw flat with a hand-held circular saw.
- Stain again and let it dry well.
- Use bolts instead of regular wood screws to secure the additional posts, as they better resist the movement of your treehouse .
- If the screw is too short, use a flat power if necessary.
- Do seismic tests: it holds up!
Step 7: The Cabin and Finishing Touches
The structure of your treehouse is solid, now it's time for the treehouse itself!
Treehouse Design:
- You've made a sketch, but now that you're up there, assess the actual space.
- Adapt your project to local conditions.
- The easiest way is to build the wall elements on the floor and screw them at the top.
Manufacture of the Cabin Wall Elements:
- The Frame: It gives the shape of the tree house .
- Slanted Walls: These create more space inside and do not need to be straight.
- Horizontal Beam/Locking Bar: These hold the frame together.
- Openings: One door, one window.
- Ridge Purlins: Screw them in or fabricate them and empty the spaces to support them.
- Sidewalls: Frame towards the windows, then two posts and a locking bar. Add a sail crosspiece and two locking bars for reinforcement.
Cutting the Wood for the Cabin:
- Place the chainsaw on a table to protect your back and knees.
- For cuts greater than 45 degrees, a table saw is ideal.
- Work from the outside in (frame first, then the inside) to make your treehouse sturdy.
The Roof of the Cabin:
- For a clean roof, saw a square timber lengthwise and diagonally.
- For the ridge purlin, use a large pulley.
- Make a small test piece to ensure the joint is correct.
- Transfer the measurement from the template to the beam.
- Place a guide bar at the height of the table saw guide rail so that the beam to be sawn is flush just below.
Cabin Wall Covering:
- You can use whole slabs, new boards, or reclaimed materials for your treehouse .
- Remove nails and other items from old wood.
- Decorate the walls according to your taste.
- If you can't use a circular saw, use a jigsaw.
- Saw the edges of the wall covering with the hand circular saw to hide the corners of the squared timbers. The boards should always go over the squared timber screwed to the walls to cover it.
Cabin Windows:
- If you have a window, use two sheets of chipboard as stops or screw them in. Cut them to size with a saw.
- You can also make a windowsill.
- Use old wood or whatever you can find to make something new out of something old (wood + hinge = shutter).
- If a screw protrudes, bend it and screw it back in at an angle to avoid injury.
- For a double-leaf window with a frame for your tree house :
- Measure the opening, divide the width by two and deduct 5 mm margin.
- Determine the width of the frame and saw the pieces.
- Make a groove in the frame for the glass. Saw the glass and fix it in the frame.
- Put a stopper so it doesn't move, and barrels so the windows don't fly out.
Cabin Door:
- For the door of your tree house , take planks that are straight if possible so that they end up neatly on all edges.
- Now screw the boards at the top and bottom through each other and also put a board as a stopper so that the door does not swing and so that the door does not twist the long place another spacer so that the latter is oriented towards the hinges on the underside of the door.
Step 8: Safety and Access to your Treehouse
Cabin Railings:
- Logs can be used to make railing supports.
- Chamfer the edge of the top cup so that water drains well.
- Always cover cutting edges with a weather protection product.
Giant Mobile Ladder for the Cabin:
- To help Grandpa climb onto the first platform of your treehouse , make a giant mobile wooden ladder.
- You will need two thick beams and round stakes for the bars.
- Calculate the number of bars (gap of approximately 25 cm).
- Draw the position of the bars.
- Determine the width of the ladder (Grandpa's width + 4 cm).
- Cut the bars.
- Drill the beams on each side to a depth of 2 cm (use a flat drill of the same diameter as the stakes).
- Two threaded bars at the ends hold the ladder.
- Apply glue to the holes and connect the beams with the stakes. Insert the threaded bars, place the washers and nuts.
Step 9: Assembling the Walls of Your Treehouse
The walls are heavy and bulky. The small hoist won't be enough to get them up onto your tree house .
Main Hoist for the Cabin:
- Place the hoist at the very top of the tree.
- Use guide rails to pull wall units without damaging them.
Assembly of the Cabin Wall Elements:
- It is easier to lift wall units if you temporarily equip them with an eyelet.
- Assemble the elements slowly, one by one, not all at once.
- Only mount the two walls that you can screw together at an angle.
- The entire platform of your treehouse isn't very stable at first.
Remember: This treehouse is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time, keep yourself and your team safe, and have fun building your dream treehouse
Do you have an idea of the style you want for the interior of your treehouse ?
The Essential Materials for Building Your Treehouse
You will need a lot of materials to build your tree house :
- Construction timber: Beams, posts, planks (lots of them!).
- Fasteners for hanging the cabin: Threaded bars, nuts, round slings, steel cables.
- Assembling the cabin: Lots and lots of screws (stainless steel for the exterior).
- Treehouse-specific tools: Radial miter saw, drill/driver, angle grinder, spirit level, tape measure, plumb line, Japanese saws, plane, cutter, hoist, clamps, etc.