Thought I'd show off my woodworking skillorz!
Last year we bought a swing/slide wooden combo for the daughters birthday. She loves it but whilst assembling I spent most of the time wondering why I just didn't build it myself.
So this year she's getting a playhouse in the garden. Sited just off the edge of the deck so keeps off the grass in the winter.
Most materials will be scrounged or found where possible to keep costs down (second offspring due in August so need to keep economy in mind!).
The spot in question, where a dead bush had been between two thriving bushes. You can guess what a lot of the material will be coming from. I get a lot of pallets donated as I have a wood burner but some are too nice to just burn.
Dig the area out and level, dig post holes.
Insert uprights of 2x4 from leftover decking supports. Temporary bracing and pour the postcrete (some I had, some I had to part cash for!).
Once gone off start the floor frame work. All from more leftovers from the decking.
Board the bottom out with hardwood (not sure what but bl00dy hard to cut with a handsaw) from pallets. Had to break up about 4 of 5 to get this many good lengths.
You can't see the roof too well but frame is reclaimed exterior timber, and an offset A frame arrangement to give a small front face like a lot of garages are done. Front face is treated pallet pine across the top of the frame with a builders off-cut of damp proof sheeting for concreting affixed. It will have roof reclaimed roof shingles affixed on top for decoration.
Interior, more pallet lengths to provide support for some perspex sheeting bought for a project I never started. Wanted to keep the playhouse fairly light but waterproof so this was ideal. Still has plastic backing on at this stage.
Started on the doors from other pallets. They are same height and will be level once fixed! Right one is a 'shop window' style for playing shop etc and will be left open or with shutters. Left one will be glazed with perspex when I get some more. Plan is to fix the right one and use the left as the main door. Then when needed open both to use the playhouse as a handy winter shed for the BBQ etc!
Any finally the inside. Doors will need a good sand before treating.
All I need now is more timber to clad sides (may have to pay for that), two sets of hinges (ditto), a 52x52cm perspex for the door (ditto) and a few catches. I may add another window of two to the side. Maybe some kiddy sized garden furniture for inside as well.
Realised it looks ickle in the photos. Is based on the shop bought dimensions and about 1.2m wide, 1.6m deep and ridge height about 1.8m. I can sort of stand stooped in the middle.
Thoughts/comments/donations?!
Last year we bought a swing/slide wooden combo for the daughters birthday. She loves it but whilst assembling I spent most of the time wondering why I just didn't build it myself.
So this year she's getting a playhouse in the garden. Sited just off the edge of the deck so keeps off the grass in the winter.
Most materials will be scrounged or found where possible to keep costs down (second offspring due in August so need to keep economy in mind!).
The spot in question, where a dead bush had been between two thriving bushes. You can guess what a lot of the material will be coming from. I get a lot of pallets donated as I have a wood burner but some are too nice to just burn.
Dig the area out and level, dig post holes.
Insert uprights of 2x4 from leftover decking supports. Temporary bracing and pour the postcrete (some I had, some I had to part cash for!).
Once gone off start the floor frame work. All from more leftovers from the decking.
Board the bottom out with hardwood (not sure what but bl00dy hard to cut with a handsaw) from pallets. Had to break up about 4 of 5 to get this many good lengths.
You can't see the roof too well but frame is reclaimed exterior timber, and an offset A frame arrangement to give a small front face like a lot of garages are done. Front face is treated pallet pine across the top of the frame with a builders off-cut of damp proof sheeting for concreting affixed. It will have roof reclaimed roof shingles affixed on top for decoration.
Interior, more pallet lengths to provide support for some perspex sheeting bought for a project I never started. Wanted to keep the playhouse fairly light but waterproof so this was ideal. Still has plastic backing on at this stage.
Started on the doors from other pallets. They are same height and will be level once fixed! Right one is a 'shop window' style for playing shop etc and will be left open or with shutters. Left one will be glazed with perspex when I get some more. Plan is to fix the right one and use the left as the main door. Then when needed open both to use the playhouse as a handy winter shed for the BBQ etc!
Any finally the inside. Doors will need a good sand before treating.
All I need now is more timber to clad sides (may have to pay for that), two sets of hinges (ditto), a 52x52cm perspex for the door (ditto) and a few catches. I may add another window of two to the side. Maybe some kiddy sized garden furniture for inside as well.
Realised it looks ickle in the photos. Is based on the shop bought dimensions and about 1.2m wide, 1.6m deep and ridge height about 1.8m. I can sort of stand stooped in the middle.
Thoughts/comments/donations?!