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How to Frame a Playhouse

A backyard playhouse offers a retreat where any child can have hours upon hours of fun. Build a simple playhouse that will be less expensive and easier to build than many high end, expensive models. Spend a weekend to frame and construct this playhouse.

Things You'll Need

Saw
Measuring tape
Hammer
Nails
Eight 48-inch 2 by 4 crosspieces
Four 41-inch 2 by 4 crosspiece reinforcements
Four 48- inch 2 by 4 uprights
Four 33-inch 2 by 4 roof supports
One 51-inch 2 by 4 roof beam

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a cross piece on your work surface. Place a reinforcement cross piece on top of it, leaving 3 1/2 inches at each end. Nail the cross pieces together. Construct four cross pieces this way.
- 2
  Assemble one side by laying two upright pieces four feet apart. Lay one reinforced piece across the top and bottom of the two upright pieces. Square the notches on the reinforced pieces up with the uprights. Hammer the corners together.
- 3
  Frame the second side of the playhouse the same way.
- 4
  Prop up each wall with a sawhorse or work bench. Space the two side walls four feet apart. Place the reinforced pieces on the inside of the wall.
- 5
  Place the unreinforced crosspieces between the two walls on the ground. Hammer the unreinforced crosspieces to the side walls to complete the square frame of the playhouse. Nail the top unreinforced pieces on either side of the playhouse one inch below the top of the frame to form a cube.
- 6
  Cut the ends of the roof supports to a 45 degree angle. Attach the roof supports to the crosspieces with nails. Leave a 1 inch gap between the tops of the roof supports for the roof beam.
- 7
  Slide the roof beam in the gaps of the roof supports. Nail the roof beam in place.

Backyard Toys