Herein is described the clubhouse I built for my kids. The final product varied a bit from the plans, but that seems to be the nature of these things. I apologize that none of the photos have captions, but that tool just doesn't seem to work for me. Three machines, no luck. [Edit: Turns out it works in FireFox. Chrome and IE, not so much.]
It was conceived as a "kids playspace" that they could decorate as they wish, spill things without consequence, and generally have a haven from the concerns of the adults relating to not breaking things in the house. As such, I had to continually be reminded throughout construction that "This is a CLUBHOUSE not a GUESTHOUSE!!" because I'd get wrapped up in some silly cosmetic detail.
Our local museum center has a few spots that are outfitted to resemble a clubhouse or treehouse and I keep hoping that our kids will use found objects to "decorate" thier space in a similar, eclectic, fashion. Unfortunately, they won't leave the yard to go find things.....
In general, you are looking at an elevated deck topped with a small shed. The roof of the shed accomodates a garden that serves a purely decorative function, although there is some small stormwater runoff control benefit. It is high enough that I will not be getting up there to harvest vegetables on anything like a regular basis. Perennials and groundcover to suit your climate are probably the best. We haven't decided much yet.
Once the paint went on, I had a new concern. I'm afraid Ronald is going to come after me for trademark infringement. My neighbors keep knocking on the door and asking where their orders are. Well, the ones who are still speaking to me anyway.....
A word on legality: In my city, a child's play structure does not require a permit unless it is over 12.5' tall (oops) or enclosed (darn).
It was conceived as a "kids playspace" that they could decorate as they wish, spill things without consequence, and generally have a haven from the concerns of the adults relating to not breaking things in the house. As such, I had to continually be reminded throughout construction that "This is a CLUBHOUSE not a GUESTHOUSE!!" because I'd get wrapped up in some silly cosmetic detail.
Our local museum center has a few spots that are outfitted to resemble a clubhouse or treehouse and I keep hoping that our kids will use found objects to "decorate" thier space in a similar, eclectic, fashion. Unfortunately, they won't leave the yard to go find things.....
In general, you are looking at an elevated deck topped with a small shed. The roof of the shed accomodates a garden that serves a purely decorative function, although there is some small stormwater runoff control benefit. It is high enough that I will not be getting up there to harvest vegetables on anything like a regular basis. Perennials and groundcover to suit your climate are probably the best. We haven't decided much yet.
Once the paint went on, I had a new concern. I'm afraid Ronald is going to come after me for trademark infringement. My neighbors keep knocking on the door and asking where their orders are. Well, the ones who are still speaking to me anyway.....
A word on legality: In my city, a child's play structure does not require a permit unless it is over 12.5' tall (oops) or enclosed (darn).
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Signing UpStep 1: The plan
With this step, I have included the Google Sketchup file I used to design this project and a spreadsheet of the major components. I got most of my stuff at Lowe's out of habit, hence the Lowe's item numbers. Prices are subject to change at anytime without notice. And if you get it delivered don't just count stuff - open the bundle and check condition. There was some real crap in the middle.
If you aren't familiar with Google Sketchup, it is a free 3D design tool provided by *suprise* Google. Can't find it? Just Google "sketchup". I found it to be very intiutive and easy to use. I use AutoCAD Civil 3D professionally and this is definately easier than Civ3D - for this purpose. You should have no problem viewing, modifying,disassembling, or redesigning the plan to suit your desires.
I created components that reflected the actual dimensions of standard lumber then used these to virtually build the clubhouse. As a result most of the project went together like a kit. I was able to precut and predrill components on the ground then assemble them in place.
In the design process I got obsessed with the weight of the proposed green roof. I was concerned that the structure would collaps under the weight of wet soil. As it turns out, my concerns were misplaced. I didn't pay enough attention to the foundation and as a result the entire thing has a slight tilt to the right rear corner. The silver lining here is that the roof drain is now at the low point! Standard framing methods and materials will have no trouble with the weight, but it must be properly supported. A good municipal plan examiner would have pointed that out had it gone through a plan review at the city B & I office.
If you aren't familiar with Google Sketchup, it is a free 3D design tool provided by *suprise* Google. Can't find it? Just Google "sketchup". I found it to be very intiutive and easy to use. I use AutoCAD Civil 3D professionally and this is definately easier than Civ3D - for this purpose. You should have no problem viewing, modifying,disassembling, or redesigning the plan to suit your desires.
I created components that reflected the actual dimensions of standard lumber then used these to virtually build the clubhouse. As a result most of the project went together like a kit. I was able to precut and predrill components on the ground then assemble them in place.
In the design process I got obsessed with the weight of the proposed green roof. I was concerned that the structure would collaps under the weight of wet soil. As it turns out, my concerns were misplaced. I didn't pay enough attention to the foundation and as a result the entire thing has a slight tilt to the right rear corner. The silver lining here is that the roof drain is now at the low point! Standard framing methods and materials will have no trouble with the weight, but it must be properly supported. A good municipal plan examiner would have pointed that out had it gone through a plan review at the city B & I office.
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Did you plant any in spring of 2010? I think most of us would love to see what you got.
BTW, the sunflowers would need an inch of water per week, and maybe even an inch of water (with constant manure tea application) per day during the last month of the growing season. Be sure to do it once the flowers start to show petals.
In other comments "Idaho David" says 'you are a good Dad' and I agree, he's right!
I saw some hanging pumpkins at EPCOT in September and really want to try it. If the stuff I tossed up there actually roots and develops fruit, maybe we'll get a chance to try that out. There seems to be some debate over whether or not the seeds in commercial halloween pumpkins will actually result in a plant capable of fruiting however.
I've considered the three-sisters act, too - corn, squash and beans interplanted. No way am I climbing up there to harvest anything, but it would be fun to watch from the ground!
I used conventional framing methods and materials, so from the start it is every bit as strong as your typical stick-built house. When you consider that 2x4 studs on 16" centers can support a second story and an asphalt roof, then you start to see how strong this really is. I put my studs and joists on 12" centers just to be sure, but I think I could put a king size water bed up there and it would be fine - as long as we behave ourselves in it.
The real weak point here, and the one that has me concerned for the longevity of the structure overall, is the foundation. A house would be built on a continuous cement footer that is twice as wide as the foundation wall it supports. This transfers load over "undisturbed" soil and gives the overall solidity necessary for the stud wall to remain in place while it does its job. Our clubhouse was built on a post foundation identical to a deck. The entire load is focused on 4 points in the sandy clay soil of my back yard. That's not a problem for decks, even two story models. The question becomes whether the combination of wet soil and plants mixed with the kids playing is enough to cause a pier failure. Even if the answer is "Yes" it will not be a sudden, catastrophic collapse. More likely is that some fine spring day I'll notice that it seems to be leaning a bit more than it did the previous fall and maybe it's time to pull that sucker down.
I have no doubt that the thing will topple over someday, but that day is many years from now and I really only expect the kids will be interested in it for about 10-12 years. The more immediate concern is that the roof drain leaks and by filling a tub with soil I made it very difficult to repair the leak. I should have used the roof to hold containers that can be lifted out - that 's the design pros use and the way we'll do it on an addition we are planning (to the home, not the clubhouse!).
In the unlikely event of any further subsidence, jack up offending corner or side and install a simple cross member at or below ground level, thus spreading load over large area. Just like you have already done between the front legs,
I my humble opinion, the back legs could have run up to the roof, thus bracing entire structure. If you do find any movement in frame, especially with the swing attachment. Brace the corners (where legs meet the deck) this will fix any sideways or twisting motions.
Well done, brilliant, inspirational job and thanks for posting.
Could it be said that the creepy neighbors did things to lure carpenters?
Unleash the lawyers! Sue for "pain and suffering" after seeing your life work chopped to bits.
(Just kidding!) Oh how I do ache with sympathetic pain for your loss though.
Balloondoggle,
I feel your delima. You want to protect your children without endangering your nieghbors. The addition of a slide to that side would eliminate jumping. And a small fence surround would keep out unwanted critters (4 legged as well as 2) and add an extra measure of security for your kids. The best part of what you have done here is that when you get ready you can add swings and sandbox under the club, for all weather play. Best of luck to you and yours.
And ten extra points to Bob, provider of beverages, helper supreme, walking palindrome among men :-)
He's my hero.
The original budget was $1500 USD, but when all is said and done it will come a bit closer to $2k. If I left off the green roof I could have used cheaper materials, but I wasn't about to risk that sort of loading on 2x3 studs. That would have saved the cost overruns I think. One of those cedar playsets that the pros come install would have cost about the same, but we had a lot more fun doing this.
did you use SketchUp for drawing the first pic?
I can't recommend GSU enough for simple construction projects. You can really fit things together in the virtual world and have measurements to work from so you don't have to risk arithmetic errors wasting your materials. Plus, it's free!
One thing you might think about is recycled rubber under the structure. I've seen it on playgrounds before, and it makes for a soft landing in case of falls. It also looks more uniform than the trampled grass you're bound to get from all the foot traffic.
Good Instructable!
I always wanted a treehouse like you had, and that was really where this started. Without any trees in the yard though, we were kind of stuck. Even without a roof, a tree house is still cooler than a clubhouse in my book. I envy you that.
You're also right about a few bumps, bruises, lacerations, and breaks being part of childhood. It's best not to be overprotective.
I will say the treehouse was awesome at the time. It was a triangle between three different trees. The trees grew apart too far not long after I was heading to college, and the treehouse was no more. *sniffle*
I have been dreaming of making a clubhouse/swing set/rockwall/jungle gym for my kids + I wanted to enclose the lower level for a storage area for my lawn equipment (kills 2 birds with one cheap stone).
Kudos on a good design.
So what are we planning to do next summer Ferb?
http://www.stevproj.com/PocketYachts.html
PS - this was not a cheap stone! Budget was $1500, but it will be over $2000 before all is said and done. And I wouldn't want my kids around the lawn equipment - that stuff is costly.
Good luck with the boat!
Signed,
Green With Envy (aka - no time-no money)