How to Build Your Playhouse.

September 08, 2006By Kay Adams, Tamecha Buck, Janet Herron &

Lisa Weston

“Click on pictures”

Introduction

Building a playhouse for your children should be both fun and easy. We have designed all of our kits to contain everything you need with minimum assembly. Here are a list of the tools and site preparation you will need for a smooth process:

Building Construction

All kits are already cut and finished to your package specifications. Railing, steps, trim, posts and roof vents are sent separate from the building kit. Sill plates are pre-drilled to allow anchor bolts to be attached to the slab.

Required Tools

Power Drill

#2 Phillips head drill bits

½” Concrete drill bit

Square

Chalk line

Ruler

Shims

Hammer

Pry bar

½” Socket wrench

(4) 2”x4”x12” studs

4’ Level – used to plumb

Hardware package included with kit

Building a Playhouse

First, gather directions listed under the “lessons” tab of this Web site

Look at the list of “required tools” and make sure you have them

Obtain “hardware package” –included with kit

Building a playhouse (con’t)

First prepare site playhouse will be built upon-remember twice as large as the house

Slab preparation

Plumbing

Electrical

Building a playhouse (con’t)

Build form for slab. Make sure corners are square and that apron will have a ¼” drop per foot away from the building.

Position 6x6 10/10 WWM. (Woven Wire Mesh) where slab will be poured

Slab Preparation

Excavate 12” deep around entire building site

Place electrical hook-ups and rough plumbing where desired

Lay drainage pipe around perimeter-at least 12” away from building for drainage

Cover drainage tile with roofing felt to prevent clogging of drainage holes

Cover entire site with peas gravel 6” deep

Place 2” of sand on top of gravel, level and compact

Use 4 mil plastic to cover compacted area

Use 2x4’s to form slab – make sure there is at least ¼” fall per foot

Spread wire mesh within the formed area

Pour 4” of concrete over wire mesh

Assembly

Use ruler and chalk line to mark wall placement – make sure they are square.

Start assembly with back wall - Mark pre-drilled holes on slab – Drill holes at least 3” deep – place wall over drilled holes and screw in the 6” anchor bolts provided – screw temporary studs high on each end of the wall and anchor them to the ground for support.

Place either the left or right wall on the inside of the back wall and mark and drill the holes as above. After wall is in place, hand tighten the anchor bolts. Check for plumb and square before attaching wall completely.

Repeat process for other wall.

Assembly (con’t)

Place front wall to match up with side walls. Mark and secure wall as above.

Remove all support studs and replace all trim if applicable.

Temporarily place railings on slab as indicated in drawing. Square them to the building and mark the slab where posts are to go. Drill holes and secure anchor bolts. Secure railings to anchors and attach with provided screws.

Lift half of roof into position ensuring the notched rafters are resting on the top of the double top plate on one of the side walls. Toe nail the roof section and repeat same process with other half of roof.

Attach ridge vent to peak

of roof and secure.

Assembly (con’t)

Anchor posts to slab.

Place front steps between opening in railing at the front of the slab if needed and secure in place.

Backfill site if needed.

Remove all packing from windows and doors.

Complete any optional features.

Playhouse is complete and ready

to be used.

Conclusion

Please contact us at http://www.Building4Kids.com with any questions you may have.

We appreciate your business and hope you are satisfied with the craftsmanship and quality of your new playhouse.

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