SIx months since I broke ground and I'm almost done. I finished the roof with Ludi's help and then shingled it last weekend. I made the door and stained it and hung it this weekend, along with the window sills. I just need to build some shutters for the two windows and add trim and I'll finally be done. Woohoo!!

I installed the slide permanently and added two 4x4's and a safety rail across the opening. I also put up two 4x4's along the ladder opening. Ludi came over and helped me get the 2 pieces of plywood sheathing up on top of the rafters and held it in place while I nailed it to the rafters. Thanks Ludi! Now I just need to lay some shingles.

Just a few weekends away from the grand opening. I installed the ladder permanently and installed the back window. I also cut all of the birds-mouth cuts in the rafters, so they are ready to go up. The slide was delivered today and the kids love it. Super fast. Julia's legs hurt tonight because she went up and down the ladder so many times. The plywood sheathing for the roof should go up on Sunday (with Ludi's help), and then it's just down to the shingles before it's fully operational (then I'll have the door and trim to do).

The walls are up! With lots of help from Andy, Ben and Ryan. Everything went pretty much according to plan - two people on the ground hoisted the walls up to two people up in the treehouse who pulled them the rest of the way. Then we drilled them into the platform and to each other at the corners. Seems very sturdy. The back wall with the huge opening will get a window. The other two windows will remain open, but Julia has asked for shutters. Roof is next - it's covered with a tarp for now.

Treehouse Update

Walls are finally done. Just need some help hoisting these up onto the platform and then will secure them to the platform and each other. Then it's on to the roof. I'll add trim around the windows and door (after I build the door).

Welcome back faithful blog reader(s)! Here's the latest on the treehouse. I've finally finished framing all of the walls. I'll add siding next and then get them up onto the treehouse and attach them to the platform and each other. Roof and trim to follow after that.

Treehouse - Week 3

Treehouse - Days 15 and 16

Over the past 2 days I've completed the railings, and that's about it. I'll have to start on the house next week after we get back from Disney. Will be shopping for a slide in the meantime to attach to the side diagonally across from the ladder.

Treehouse - Days 12, 13 and 14

Things have been a little slow on the treehouse front the past few days, between Thomas' graduation from nursery school (+ celebratory lunch) and the pool opening today. But I was able to get a good portion of the railing up. I'm just going to do two sides for now so I have a wide opening on the back side to lift up the walls, which will be built on the ground and then hoisted up. I set the over/under on curses words uttered during this project at 150, and was way under until I started installing the 4x4 posts. Turns out attaching 4 foot long 4x4's to a platform 8 feet in the air by yourself, and making them level, is very challenging. Needless to say, I put a heavy dent in the 150. Thankfully I was finally able to settle on a method that worked pretty well. Thanks to Andy for stopping by and helping out with the railing today, and loaning me his cordless drill after I burnt mine out on the ladder construction. Hope to finish the railing before Disney, then it's on to the house when I return.

Treehouse - Days 9, 10 and 11

Three days and all I have to show for myself is this ladder. But what a ladder. I couldn't be more proud of it. It's like the fourth child we're never going to have. On Monday, Amy and I had an afternoon date at the lumber yard (with John). Lumber was delivered on Tuesday morning and I spent a couple hours getting the stringers (outside pieces) of the ladder cut at the correct angles and the steps cut from scrap that I had laying around. I spent a good part of today in the garage installing the steps, cutting and installing the support pieces and installing the handrails. Ben showed up at the perfect time and helped me carry it to the backyard and set it in place. Swiss Family Elliott ensued.

Treehouse - Day 8

The deck is in! Jason dropped by at the perfect time and helped me run a circular saw down the length of a 11 ft 2x6 for the last decking board, which had to be custom cut. Everything is level and VERY sturdy. Jules and I went up and almost caught a butterfly before it sought lower ground.

Treehouse - Day 7

Very productive day today. Andy and I got the other knee braces up. Andy cut some customized shims on his table saw to make the knee braces square. I added collar ties to the knee braces and put down a few more decking boards before running out of deck screws. I just have a few decking boards left, then it's on to the railing and ladder.

Treehouse - Days 5 and 6

Treehouse construction has taken a backseat to child rearing these last couple of days, but the deck is going in little by little. Getting the kids up top was a milestone. Needless to say, they like it up there.

Treehouse - Day 4

Day 4 started off slow. Shortly after starting in the morning, construction was halted due to rain. Union rules. I resumed in the afternoon, nailing in all of the joists. Ben arrived on the scene late in the day to help with the knee braces, which were difficult and time consuming. Only one pair is up so far (pending collar tie). Deck next, then ladder and railings.

Treehouse - Day 3 (cont.)

Thanks to Andy, Ben and Ryan - the platform is up! Knee braces go on tomorrow and the rest of the joists will be secured. Then on to the deck.

Treehouse - Days 2 and 3

Platform is built! All but one of the joists are removable for now so we can carry this to the backyard and place it on the platform.

Treehouse - Day 1

Treehouse Concept

Treehouse design.

November 2010 - March 2011