Tree House Plans

Tree houses are known as constructions made among branches of trees with trunks - which support their weight. Tree houses are generally built for recreational purposes, however, their use for habitation and as a workplace is increasing day-by-day. One of the basics things which needs to be considered while building a tree house is the weight factor. These houses must be lightweight and easy to install. The wood used for a treehouse project should also be strong to bear the weight of the whole structure. Green oak wood is generally recommended by experts. Treehouses are built in different ways like around the trunk, next to the trunk or among the branches. Let us have a look at some of the plans for tree houses.

Tree House Plans
The information for building a tree house is presented in short in the paragraphs below. The frame of a tree house includes a floor, walls and roof. To construct a simple tree house, one would require a plywood made of pine with dimensions 2' x 2' and 2' x 1'. Floor of the tree house should be customized according to the shape of tree. For a flat roof, dimensions of the plywood need to be 8' x 4' with a thickness of ¾". For the 2 longer walls, dimensions of plywood should be 220 x 100 cm with ½" thickness. Dimensions of the remaining 2 walls (or the shorter walls) must be 100 x 100 cm with the same ½" thickness. A 50 x 100 cm portion would be required for the door, while 75 x 50 cm portions are recommended for windows. A 220 x 100 cm, ¾" thick plywood makes up the floor. Accessories required for this activity include a tar paper (10m), 2x hinges, 2" nails for walls, felt tacks, sliding bolt locks, 18x right angle brackets.

The plans mentioned below should prove to be useful in constructing beautiful tree house structures that are used as retreats, for watching wildlife, spending holidays and other recreational needs. One of the benefits of building a tree house is that less damage is caused to the environment. Constructing a conventional house requires clearing a given area of forest land. Thus, building a tree house helps preserve the green cover.

Zelkova Tree House
This tree house plan has a total floor area of 64 sq ft and a 39 sq ft internal area; it simply means that the 39 sq ft area is enclosed inside walls. The deck is covered with a roof in order to keep it dry at the time of rains; it is also surrounded by railings. A sliding joint allows free movement of the tree house and prevents any kind of damage caused by winds. A rope or wooden ladder is used for entering the tree house. The tree house plans for adults and children are made keeping in mind the basic structure of this tree house. The structure is large enough to house 3 children or 2 adults.

Savanna Bird Hide
This design is suitable for bird watching. Although it is called a tree house, the Savanna Bird Hide is actually built on a raised platform that is supported by wooden poles. Floor space of the Savanna Bird Hide is 32 sq ft. It can also be used as a playhouse for kids; it is possible to construct on both the sloping and flat terrains. The platform is 6 feet above the ground level. A trapdoor is used for entering the tree house, while a wooden staircase for climbing it.

Kauri Tree House
The Kauri Tree house is built around a single tree; the construction process is quite simple to follow. Out of the total floor space of 64 sq ft, an area of around 40 sq ft is enclosed. The building has enough space to house 3 children or 2 adults. A tree-friendly design and 8 windows that provide a 360º view is the specialty of this tree house. The Kauri tree house is built around the trunk of a tree, which is why, there is space (hole) reserved at the middle of the deck.

Yellow Tree House (New Zealand)
Tree house designs have improved a lot with time. The Yellow Tree House from New Zealand is a perfect example of innovation at its best. Shape of this house is somewhat like a cocoon; actually, it is more like an onion clove. The height is around 12 m and the width almost equal to its height, i.e. 10 m. Timber trusses form the main components in the construction of these structures. Glue-laminated curved fins are prepared from pine wood. Narrow pieces of wooden strips used in the construction of walkway balustrades are made of wood obtained from poplar trees. Openings for windows are created by maintaining gaps between slats. Acrylic sheets fitted under the roof protect the tree house from harsh weather conditions. Appearance of this tree house is pleasing to eyes and the whole setting is luxurious.

Tree House Plans DIY
The tree houses can also be constructed without professional help. However, it requires careful planning, enough time on hand and peace of mind to construct a nice treehouse. In order to build a tree house, one would require materials such as plywood, framing wood, metal corner brackets, bolts, saw, hammer, measuring tape and a ladder. One should first erect posts and build a platform. Beams should be mounted on the platform. Bolts must be spaced at 12 inches distance from each other. The platform should be secured near the tree trunk with the help of diagonal bracing. Stainless steel or galvanized fasteners should be used for the same. The plywood sheets must be fitted on the platform without keeping any gap between the floor and platform. Next step in the process is building the railing wall structure. Prefabricated wall structures tend to reduce the workload and they are easy to hoist. A wooden or rope ladder should be installed for accessibility. The remaining tasks include painting, installing light fixtures and laying the carpet. Read more on how to build a tree house if you are interested in the construction process.

Innovations brought about in the construction of tree houses not only help enhance their appearance, but also improve the overall efficiency of the building process. The different plans mentioned above have a specialty of their own. Pick up the one that best suits your needs.