Building a treehouse

Hi All,

well after binge-watching just about every episode of 'Treehouse Masters', buying the book, and also scouring Youtube for related video; I've been bitten by the treehouse bug !....
I'm lucky to have a block that is not only blessed with 2 x giant Tuart trees; but also a few others in a bit of a group down the back; away from neighbours, so time to get started !! I chose the rear grove of trees as it's a bit more private; and sidn't want to mess with the big ones.
If anyone wants to get the bug - check out treehouse masters on foxtel; or look at nelsontreehouse.com online 🙂

construction will be a platfrorm about 2.5m off the ground, half deck, half enclosed 'cubby'

here's a quick sketch plan and the trees as an idea - it will no doubt evolve as the buid gets underway.....

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as I'm building between more than one tree; there has to be an allowance for trees to move in the wind. If the treehouse was solidly bolted to all 3 trees, the wind and tree movement causes enough force to rip it apart ! The American style to avoid this is to have a 'floating' platform on top of high tensile bolts that are screwed into tree called 'TAB's (treehouse attachment bolts) or 'Garnier Limbs'. slight problem is that these are only available in USA.....and cost about US$250 each......so getting them here was a bit beyond the budget !
I therefore improvised with some M26 High tensile rod, and some washers & nuts to help improve the torsional load at the tree. The US TABs have a widened collar at the trunk surface to spread the load where it is most likely to bend. Considering mine will be a fraction of the US Builds; I'm pretty comfortable with my versions...
I drilled about 15cm into the trees, plus an enlarged recess using a holesaw/forstner bit to facilitate several washers that go around the rod

Building between more than 1 tree means there are issues with tree movement in the wind. if treehouse is bolted to more than one tree; movement in wind can literally rip it apart. The yanks get around this by basically building the treehouse as a floating platform on high tensile pegs attached to tree called TABs (treehouse attachment bolts) or 'Garnier Limbs' once screwed into tree, the tree builds 'recovery wood around the bolt to strengthen the attachment. the floating aspect allows for the tree to move in the wind independent of the platform, and also for the growth of the tree
Unfortunately TABs are about $250 each from USA and postage would be a killer; so I had to improvise and make my own from M26 High tensile rod, and some washers and nuts to help spread the load.
rebate hole was done with holesaw + forstner bit. Main hole was about 15cm deep using auger

auger bit for the main holeenlarged recess in livewood layer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5638#Comment_5638

screwing in the rods was hard yakka. I used a pipe on end of wrench for some better leverage - tedious process doing half a turn at a time up & down a ladder !!

the washers held in place by nut reduce torsional movement

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64931#Comment_64931

one end will take a brace that will support 2 x end beams. each beam is supported at other end by 2 separate trees.
the brace is held with 2 bolts. the washers recess into the tree live layer to minimise flexing of the bolt

sote foreman keeping things in check !beam can slide out with tree growth

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95151#Comment_95151

rods fitted to trees at opposite end to accept 1 x beam each

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114109#Comment_114109

now time for the 2 x main longitudinal beams. These are 2 pieces of 190x45 treated pine joined. a support post will be installed beneath each join.
the was lot's of fun carrying & lifting into place on my own !! 🙂

beam me up, scotty !temporary supports

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124742#Comment_124742

now a few treated pine posts to support the middle join. patio post bracket used in quick dry at base

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131903#Comment_131903

now some cross-bracing + extra joists - getting all the angles right as it's not square was time consuming, and meant joist hanger brackets didn't always fit.... but some 4" treated pine screws re-inforced it by screwing through. Having only recently purchased an impact driver - they are brilliant for driving in screws & bolts without bits skipping and stripping heads !! I've jumped on the Ryobi one+ 18v bandwagon; and so far very happy. Have gone for brushless where I can afford it - hopefully to get extra life out of motors. Batteries have been great too - heaps of grunt !

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136255#Comment_136255

now for the decking.... scored some salvaged (cypress I think ?) Pine decking - not the normal treated stuff..... smells amazing when it's sawn. Got it for $1/lm from salvage yard so saved a packet there 😉
Quite hard for pine, so had to drill & counter sink first - bit tedious, but went down well

client on site today gave work the thumbs up !

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139217#Comment_139217

trimmed off the overhang, and it's looking pretty good 🙂 - will get a tin of 'mission brown' to re-coat deck + patched holes

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141213#Comment_141213

now for the (form) ply flooring to go under cubby part. 19mm film ply. A chalk line was perfect for tracing where beams were underneath !

chalk line very handy for tracing joistsview ain't half bad !all the flooring done !quite a behemoth from underneath !flooring milestone - deserves celebration !

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142709#Comment_142709

That's it for the moment folks - heading away for easter, so will get cracking on it when I return....
next is safety railing around deck, then the cubby which I plan to build out of EPS (expanded polystyrene sandwich) paneling - like coolroom paneling. it's one piece, cladded inside & out with thin steel sheet with 50mm foam sandwich - super strong and insulated. and will give me a nice inner & outer finish as well as insulation, without having to do a stud wall and then skin inside & outside. found a local place that has offcuts that should be perfect for my needs. will be cool in summer, and hopefully keep all the bugs & **** out.
then a ships ladder to access, and maybe a secret hatch into the cubby part, firemans pole, and maybe a scramble net suspended off the side ! - also maybe a slide if I can find one the right size cheap enough 😉
Hope you've enjoyed my journey so far ! 🙂

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143771#Comment_143771

I have really enjoyed your treehouse updates and am sure that the rest of the Workshop community has too!

Have you got back into it after the Easter break?

It would be fantastic to see some more updates soon.

Thanks again for sharing this wonderful project.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5637#Comment_5637

Where did you get the high tensile rod from?

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/66259#Comment_66259

Thanks for joining in the discussion @Matt_C. Let me tag @Dan_M for you so he is alerted to your question about where to obtain the high tensile rods.

Welcome to the Workshop community. We're sure you'll get loads of helpful information, advice and inspiration for all your projects around the home and garden from our wonderful members. Please don't hesitate to post anytime you need a hand or have something to share. We'd love to learn more about your projects and plans.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/66259#Comment_66259

I got it from a mob in WA called WA fasteners - I got 2 x 900mm lengths which I recall were about $50 each. they're M25 I think.

I cut each in half (450mm) and sunk each about 25cm into trunk.

I'll have to post some update pics of build progress - nearly finished 😉

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95885#Comment_95885

@Dan_M I'm new to Bunnings Workshop and wondering whether you had any more treehouse news?

Jane

Hello @Dan_M

I can already see that big smile from your child's face she is going to love this! I would love to put up a tree house but alas there are no big ones in my backyard. Looking forward to the finished product! Fantastic build!

Cheers,

Red

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/12451#Comment_12451

well, been a while.... I had a hard year last year.... 🙁 - won't go into it

anyway, a few comments has revealed a bit of interest in the build, so I'll throw up some updated pics 🙂

next was railings 🙂

Next - the cabin !!

I was lucky enough to score some composite panel from a local wholesaler who had some lengths of 40mm thick sandwiched foam with steel skin. they are interlocking panels used for sectional garage doors (great idea to have insulated garage roller door !- check out http://tigerbuildingsystems.com.au/ ) They had some panels that were water damaged and couldn't be sold for normal use, so I got them very cheap ! - they even cut it to length for me 🙂

(thanks bunno's for the courtesy trailer 😉 )

plan was to mount it inside some sectional 'C' Aluminium channel....which would've been perfect....except there was no 40mm channel.... so I had to get 50mmx25mm.... got from Ulrich aluminium - who also cut to size 🙂 https://www.ullrich.com.au/

To make 40mm panels fit into 50mm channels....took a bit of thinking; but I discovered that DIY lengths of Flyscreen panel frame are a perfect 25mmx10mm, nice and light, and pretty cheap. This would be used to 'pack' in the panel so it was snug - worked perfectly, very neat, and left no nooks for ****/nasties to set up camp....
C-channel was screwed to base and through into beams below. composite panels were glued and riveted into channel; and very cool 90o channel joins used for corners, and also for attaching roof later on

1st was the trickiest ! - imagine trying to balance this on your own, up a ladder with a decent breeze 🙂

gap left for door, and then onto roof ! - closing in the final panel was tricky....but it's all done and solid as a bunker !!

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/68683#Comment_68683

I'm sorry to hear you didn't have a great year, @Dan_M.

As you've realised, your one of a kind tree house is still sparking inspiration within the community, and we would absolutely love to see some updated images. I think we've all been waiting with bated breath to see the finished results; I know I have.

Many thanks for the update.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/97286#Comment_97286

Thanks Mitchell,

appreciate your thoughts.

few more pics of closing up the roof 😉

"this much to go !"success !!!

Oh yeah - a keen eye will also notice an addition to the side..... I got sick of trying to haul panels up a ladder and nearly stack.... so fast tracked the 'ships ladder/stairs 🙂

made a template and routed out channels for each step.....this was fun carrying down and lifting into place on my own....

and some grab rails (brackets from you know where !) 😉

then wanted to make the railing gaps more 'small kid proof'
made a 'pig fence' - routed a channel down the inside length of the pine, and slotted the mesh in place then screwed the frame

'small child' field testing complete 🙂

this is about the latest pic - it's essentially functional and safe; I have a window to install into the 'cabin' and need to finish off the railing....
also think a firemans pole at the end of decking is required..and a camouflage paint job on outside to blend in... 🙂

top railing is perfect width 😉

cheers everyone and will keep you updated on progress 😉

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115304#Comment_115304

Thank you so much for the update @Dan_M. So much to be proud of with this build. Even more incredible that you've managed to create all this on your own. You are definitely the Bunnings Workshop Treehouse Master! So grateful that you're sharing this story with us. Your creativity and ingenuity is inspiring.

Jane

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115304#Comment_115304

Hi Dan_M ,

Great bit of craftsmanship you and the young ones have achieved there..

I'm about to embark on my own build and found this post very helpful.. its been a year since any updates on this build.. has much changed since you last posted

BIGHOOK

(LUKE)

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126479#Comment_126479

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community Luke (@BIGHOOK). It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about this amazing project.

Let me mention @Dan_M, so they are notified of your question. Hopefully, they can provide us with an update. The last one they provided appeared to be very close to completion, and I expect the result to look amazing.

We'd be keen to hear all about your plans and would encourage you to start a discussion to share them with us. I'm sure our knowledgeable members will have plenty of advice for you.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126479#Comment_126479

Hi Luke,

thanks for the comments & support 🙂
Not much else done to tree house since main build - still gets use by the kids & has withstood some crazy storms & wild winds with no problems 🙂
Next stage is to still attach a door & some windows; so kids can have 'sleep overs' in there..... 🙂

- they've also requested bean bags & 'somewhere to charge ipads....' - so might get a solar panel/battery and some usb points & a light in future 🙂

....better get my butt into gear and get stuck into it !

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