Floor – Some of the more elaborate playhouse plans call for 2×6 lumber in all floor joist members. This is fine for houses and outdoor sheds, but a small playhouse can work fine using less expensive 2x4s. Go ahead keep with the typical spacing of floor joists (16″ on center) and I’d also stay with laying ¾” plywood on top.
So, when you’re looking for playhouse ideas, be creative but stay practical. Get the kids involved or at least be aware of what they would like. More than anything, use good, step-by-step playhouse plans. Remember, you’re not just building a playhouse, you’re building memories.
The last time I did a quick look for playhouse kits, I was shocked to find out how much I could pay for an item like this, not to mention the added shipping costs for all the lumber. It didn’t take me long to figure out that the money spent on delivery charges alone would pay for much of the lumber if I build the playhouse myself. Now the challenge is finding playhouse plans that I’m capable of building.
Walls – Many playhouses plans get overly enthusiastic when it comes to the assembly of walls, adopting the exact same methods used when building a proper home. This means plenty of intricate cripple studs, window headers, and also door frames. Many of these characteristics may be simplified. For instance, it’s certainly not essential to always keep wall studs 16″ on center. A ply board wall requires just a few boards to keep it up, one on either side and then one or two in the center. And also a basic window may be easily be cut in the middle of your ply board, and then framed using wooden trim.
The great thing is that playhouses don’t require the exact same architectural specifics which you’ll see in a proper home. Below are a few areas within the fundamental design where one can cut some corners, and still have a fabulous playhouse for your children.
Next you would have to ensure that the materials being used are sturdy enough to ensure that the structure of the playhouse is safe for your kids. It would be wise if you could choose proper wooden beams to construct the playhouse with. Make certain that there are enough beams and pillars to support the walls and the ceiling. The last thing you need after executing a good playhouse plan is for the actual playhouse to cave-in.
I purchased one package that cost $29.99. It included plans for 9 different designs. The problem was, one design was for a playhouse measuring 16′ x 20′! Why would anyone want to build a structure that big for little kids to play in? Not only would it occupy about half the space in most suburban yards, it would cost a fortune to build!
From basic tin-sided sheds to miniature mansions with wood working, porches and working windows — the right Playhouse can make a fun family project.
2) Will you build from scratch or a kit? Playhouse kits range from cheap plastic toys to very sturdy wooden structures. One thing I’ve learned about kits is good ones can be very expensive and almost as difficult to build as starting from scratch. There are playhouse plans available that make the process very simple. They will give you material lists and step-by-step directions. One of the problems with the playhouse plans my wife bought was they amounted to little more than an exploded view with hardly any directions at all. Good plans make all the difference in the world.
The good news about making a gabled roof is that you can buy some pretty inexpensive hardware that will essentially line up the roof rafters where you need them to go. Galvanized joist hangers will solve a lot of my problems here when it comes to hanging the rafters. There are plenty of instructions around for learning how to build a roof – for any kind of house, not just playhouses. So with the pre-made joist hangers and a few instructions, I think I’ll be able to figure out this part of the project without too much trouble.
