Treehouse Progress

[jyl]

Posting some pics of the latest project.



Kids have been wanting this for a while.



It is perhaps less of a "treehouse" than simply a raised platform amidst the trees. But it is supported by trees at one end.



Framing coming along. Not exactly "to code" but it will be sturdy.



House will be (is) 42 sq ft, with a little porch and a sleeping attic. After the fence, the ground falls off so when up in the house, you are 20 or so feet above the sidewalk.

[Hugh R]

Very nice! I used steel studs on mine.

[widgeon13]

Sir, may I see your building permit?

[jyl]

Yes, I do worry about that. So far all neighbors have been positive, fingers crossed . . . still, it is sturdy, complies with setback, not visible from any house on my side of street, and barely visible from the other side of street, so I might have a chance.

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Sir, may I see your building permit?

[Jims5543]

Very cool, we had one in the back yard, I took it down before the 1st hurricane hit us in 2004, I was afraid it would come loose and destroy my house.

[jyl]

Moving along.

Figured out what I'll use for the roof covering - corrugated steel for the outer sections, corrugated transparent plastic/lexan for the inner (center) sections to let in light.

Still not decided what to cover the exterior walls with, shingles or siding, stain or just paint. Or whether to make it look like the main house, tan and white - or come up with a camouflage scheme.

Not sure the architectural preservationist neighbors across the street will like having an over-grown duck blind in RealTree (TM) pattern on the block - but then again they said they can't even see the treehouse, it's tucked into the trees.

[jyl]

Coming along, just have to install windows and doors and finish a few bits.

From the firepit


Small wraparound deck


From deck, spying on the street


From upstairs looking down at the main floor deck

[jyl]

Upstairs, carpeted loft. Roof is partly transparent. Still need to fill in the open ends, debating between solid wood wall, open railing like on deck, and ? ? ?. Would like to retain the view and the "amidst the trees" feel, while keeping rain out and bodies in.

[kstar]

Transparent roof is cool! Nice work.

How about clear eaves with rails below and otherwise open for the ends?

[the]

Wow, that's a long way from the treehouse we had as kids.

We made ours out of a box spring, rope and some bungee cords.

We'd liberate a couple of our friend's dad's brewskis out of the fridge and drink them up in the trees.

[kstar]

Originally Posted by the

Wow, that's a long way from the treehouse we had as kids.

We made ours out of a box spring, rope and some bungee cords.

We'd liberate a couple of our friend's dad's brewskis out of the fridge and drink them up in the trees.

When I was a kid, we didn't have box springs, rope and bungee cords; we made treehouses out of bronze and stone.

[RWebb]

guy built a huge one in the hills here - in town but a very woody area -- he hiked in each stick bit by bit - got caught after about 3-4 years of living in it!

he was about 80 ft. up

[jyl]

I'd like to see pics!

Originally Posted by procon

Awsome, love the transparent roof.

Been working on a "tree-house" for my son & almost have the railing complete.
Man it's hard to put the tool belt back on after a long day, but the look on his face was worth it.
I went for more of a fire tower design, 4' cantilevered octagon deck & hip roof. I'll try to snap some pics tomorrow.

[jyl]

I'd like something like that. Wife thinks it will be too drafty, wet, cold when its raining, which it does most of the time here. My thought is to put up some triangles of tarp material, like the flaps at the ends of a "A-frame" tent, unroll and fasten when weather inclement.

Originally Posted by kstarnes

Transparent roof is cool! Nice work.

How about clear eaves with rails below and otherwise open for the ends?

[cantdrv55]

Very cool, guys.

I used to have a tree house when I was a kid. It was literally just a big laundry basket on a platform of 2X4s. I "built" it myself when I was in 4th grade. I guess it was more of a perch than a house.

[livi]

Wow! John!

Thats not a simple tree house. You could successfully accommodate the Royal family in there..having them begging for to come back next year again! Well done!

My son better no see this post or I will be pestered the rest of the summer.

[azasadny]

Very nice! I really like your fence with the "Mission look" lattice work!

[gassy]

Very cool. You gonna run power to it?

[The Gaijin]

John Man - that is so cool, a great place to hang out. Are you going to build something for the kids??

[john70t]

What about a rope swing? Are they even allowed these days?