Dwight G. of Pigeon, Michigan has grandchildren who would rather be outside than in, so he built them a playhouse of their own. It measures 5′ x 8′ including a 30-inch covered porch, with 4-foot walls and a peak that sits 72 inches off the floor. Navy siding, white trim, a diamond window in the Dutch-style door and a little white railing across the porch give it the look of a scaled-down cottage.
The framing is held together with construction screws over treated 2×4 floor joists, the plywood floor is covered in vinyl, and the inside is lined with cedar picket boards. Plexiglass stands in for window glass. Dwight worked on it over about two weeks, roughly 30 to 40 hours, for an approximate cost of $750, and designed it himself around material dimensions rather than a printed plan.
In Dwight’s words
We have active grandchildren who love playing outside so I decided to build them a little playhouse. I sized it 5’x8′ which includes a 30 inch porch. The walls are 4 feet high and it measures 72 inches at the roof peak.
The build
- Project type: Outdoor structure — children’s playhouse
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Wood: Treated 2×4 floor joists, plywood floor covered with vinyl flooring, cedar picket boards inside, primed 4×8 siding sheets outside, plexiglass windows
- Finish: Two coats of water-based exterior paint
- Tools: Basic carpenter tools, plus cordless 18-gauge and 16-gauge finish nailers; construction screws for framing
- Time: About two weeks, roughly 30 to 40 hours
- Cost: Approximately $750
- Plans: No formal plan — designed around material dimensions and visual appeal
Photos
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