Whether you have small kids or love spending time with the grandchildren on weekends, having plenty of safe spaces and toys is an absolute must. Children have great imaginations but it’s always better to help foster that creativity by providing them with a place to pretend, have fun, and be who they want to be. Playhouses have long been a great addition to the backyard childhood experience, providing kids with a chance to play house, write, read a comic book, or just escape from it all. There are many different types of playhouses available, including prefab plastic sets and durable wooden ones.
Many families want to build a playhouse that will last for generations. One that can still be a useful facility as the children age. For this, more durable and longer-lasting styles tend to be preferred. Likewise, a full-size building is ideal if you want to gain maximum long-term value from its presence. Gable shed playhouses have increasingly become popular for this very reason. Today, we’ll walk you through the basics of building your very own gable shed playhouse for your children or grandchildren.
Selecting the Ideal Size and Plan
Since you’re looking to build a full-size playhouse that can double as something else years from now, you’ll want to look at real-life premium shed plans from 3DSHEDPLANS, that incorporate all of the unique designs you’d expect in a playhouse. The first major decision you’ll want to make is how big the playhouse should be. For many people, the approximate size of a child’s bedroom is usually big enough to work. This can be the perfect cozy nook for a playhouse and yet still serve other purposes when needed. Now, you’ll have to consider which specific plan you’ll use to build the playhouse. One example of a gable shed playhouse is the 12X12 Gable Storage Shed Plan available from www.3dshedplans.com. Depending on whether you want a square or rectangular design, you can also browse other sizes. Additionally, you can also visit your local home improvement or hardware store for inspiration. Many carry complete playhouse kits with all of the materials you’ll need included: you’ll only need to assemble the playhouse on-site.
Look for Material Opportunities
When building the playhouse, you want to save as much money and time as possible. Luckily, there are several ways you can do that. To begin, try searching for free or discounted materials that can be used. You may have unused lumber around the house that can be repurposed for the project. Likewise, there are local landfills and recycling centers that can provide you with free materials if you simply pick them up. Another way to save time is to purchase major building materials like lumber from one of many major hardware or lumber stores. In many cases, they will offer to cut the pieces to size, which will save you time at home and eliminate the possibility of wasting valuable wood.
Build the Foundation/Base
Before you can build the playhouse, you’ll need a good level of space on which to build it. You may need to level the area before beginning construction. Depending on the area selected, this may be possible with simple household gardening tools. Once the area is level, you’ll then want to build the base of the playhouse. Some playhouses are built on a concrete slab foundation; if this is the path you’re choosing, then you’ll need to allow extra time for the concrete to fully cure before continuing work. Otherwise, you can use a combination of 2×8 boards and decking planks to build the foundation and floor of the future playhouse.
Build the Walls
Once the base and floor of your new gable shed playhouse are secure, you’ll then need to focus on constructing the walls. This is done by building four empty frames that will serve as the future walls. It is during this process that you’ll need to determine whether you want to have any windows or not, as you’ll need to make space in the frames for each window (as well as any doors). With a little bit of help, you’ll then attach the wall frames to the base of the playhouse one by one, followed by securing each wall to the adjoining ones.
Install a Roof and Finish the Walls
With five of the six sides of the playhouse completed, all that is left is the roof. You’ll create a frame for the roof just as you did with each wall, as well as rafters to support the roof. Once installed, you can cover the playhouse roof with a sheet of plywood to ensure it is isolated. The final step is to insulate the roof using shingles or tar paper. Once the roof is completed, bring the construction home by finishing up the walls. You may choose to use siding, plywood, or traditional wood to fully finish this element. Once completed, you’ll then install any windows or doors to complete the gable shed playhouse.
Because of its versatility and appeal, countless families have built or installed playhouses on their properties. While some effort is required, building a gable shed playhouse can be a rewarding family fixture. You’ll bring to life the kids’ imaginations and potentially have a future shed or room that can be used for other purposes when the children are older.
