So, I got this idea buzzing in my head for a while, you know? The backyard felt a bit empty, and I figured, why not build one of those classic treehouses? Not some kit you buy, but a proper, old-school one. I spent a good few afternoons just staring at this sturdy old tree we’ve got, trying to picture it. Did a few scribbles on a notepad, nothing an architect would be proud of, just getting the basic shape down.
Getting the Bits and Bobs
Then came the fun part: getting all the bits and pieces. Man, that took some doing. I managed to scrounge up some wood from the local lumber yard – mostly just straightforward pine, nothing fancy. Had to buy a boatload of screws and bolts, though. You can’t mess around with those, not if you want the thing to stay up. My old drill was looking a bit tired, so I used it as an excuse to get a new one. Always good to have the right tools, or at least, that’s what I tell myself.
The Foundation Shenanigans
Okay, the foundation. That was the bit I was dreading, to be honest. You gotta make sure it’s solid, but you also don’t want to end up killing the tree, right? I decided to go with these special treehouse bolts – they let the tree move a bit. Getting those main support beams level, ugh, that was a pain. Lots of measuring, then re-measuring, then nudging it a bit. My back was definitely feeling it after that.
Laying Down the Floor
Once the main supports were somehow wrestled into place, putting the platform down felt like actual progress. Started laying out the joists, spacing them out as best I could. Then came screwing down the actual floorboards. That thwack-thwack sound of the drill driving screws in, pretty good feeling, that. Took a couple of days, just plodding along, trying to keep things from going too crooked.
Walls? Sort Of
Next up, I started framing out some basic walls. Just some 2x4s, really. Nothing too complicated. Tried to imagine where a window-ish opening might go. It actually started to look like a tiny, lopsided cabin at this point, which was kind of encouraging, I guess. Less like a pile of wood, anyway.
Planking It Up
Then I started nailing on the siding. Just used some regular exterior wood planks. One by one, clunk, clunk, clunk. It’s slow work, that kind of thing, but you do see it taking shape. Left a gap for a door, and another smaller one that might pass for a window if you squint.
Tackling the Roof
The roof, oh boy. I wasn’t about to attempt anything fancy. Just a simple sloping roof. Cut some rafters, tried to get the angles something close to right. It’s probably not perfectly waterproof, but I slapped some roofing felt on top of plywood. Good enough to keep the worst of the rain out, I reckon. We’ll see how it holds up.
Getting In and Out
Then I had to figure out how anyone was actually going to get up there. Thought about a rope ladder for about five seconds, then remembered I’m not a kid anymore. Stairs seemed like way too much effort for this. So, I just knocked together a simple, sturdy wooden ladder. Bolted it to the side of the platform. It does the job, even if it’s not pretty.
The “Finishing Touches”
Didn’t really go wild with fancy finishes. I mean, it’s a treehouse. Cut out a rough doorway. Nailed a couple of bits of wood together to make a sort of shutter for the window hole. I kind of like the plain wood look, so no paint. Maybe I’ll slap some sealer on it next year if I remember. Threw an old bit of carpet inside and a couple of cushions. Done.
So, yeah. Stood back, took a look. It ain’t gonna win any design awards, that’s for sure. Got plenty of wobbly bits and bits that aren’t quite straight. But it’s standing, and it’s ours. The main thing is, the kids are already making it their own little den. Took a fair bit of sweat, and a few choice words along the way, but it’s up. Definitely a learning experience, that’s for sure.
