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Build a Simple Playhouse - Roof

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build your own playhouse how to add a roof
Difficulty
Intermediate
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Think putting up a roof on a playhouse is difficult? Reconsider with this plan. This simple roof design will take all of the confusion out of rafters. We've had this playhouse up through a windy Alaska summer (and winter), through rainstorms, and even with lots of snow!

 

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Build a Simple Playhouse - Roof

Dimensions are designed to fit the Playhouse Collection of plans

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 2 – 3/4″ Plywood or OSB 4×8 Sheets (Can be the builder grade stuff)
  • 6 – 2×2 Furring Strips
  • 50 Square Feet of Roofing - cedar shinges would be adorable
  • 8′ Roofing Ridge Material
  • Roofing Nails or other Roofing fasteners
  • 2″ self tapping wood Screws
  • 1 1/4″ self tapping wood screws
Cut List

10 – 2×2 @ 34″, Both Ends Mitered down 45 degrees perpendicular (Rafters)

1 – 2×2 @ 93″ (Ridge Pole)

2 – 3/4″ Plywood or OSB @ 96″ x 35″

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Hammer
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Staple Gun

Instructions

Step 1

RIDGEPOLE
Line your ridgepole up with the back side wall and quickly mark the placement of each stud in the back wall. Then, attach your ridgepole as shown above, screwing from the outsides of the gable end walls with 2″ screws.

Step 2

RAFTERS
Build your trusses by screwing the tops of the trusses together using the 2″ screws and glue. Lay your trusses on top of the ridgepole and line up with the markings from step 1. The ends of the rafters should be flush with the outsides of the front and back walls, matching the trusses built into the gable end walls (also highlighted in green above). Screw to both the front and back walls and to the ridgepole.

Step 3

SHEATHING
Use the 1 1/4″ screws to attach the sheathing to the rafters, as shown above.

Step 4

The roof sheathing should look like this, with slight overhangs on the ends.

Step 5

Project Type
Playhouse
Room
Kids and Toys
Outdoor
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Ana White (not verified)

Sun, 05/30/2010 - 12:06

Off and on, I've been at this project for about two weeks, but it's interrupted hours, here and there. If you made good time, it would be entirely possible to build this in a weekend.

Yes, make sure you screw the walls to the deck so the wind doesn't blow it off.

:)

MomBrose (not verified)

Sun, 05/30/2010 - 14:33

I need to go back and read the plans but did you put the whole decking into concrete footings? I would be worried that it would topple because it's "back heavy."

Ana White (not verified)

Sun, 05/30/2010 - 14:40

Hi Mom Brose, the playhouse is actually much lighter than you would expect (my husband and I carried it acrossed the lawn) and there is no issue of being top heavy. The deck that the playhouse sits on is heavy and a large footprint, so you shouldn't have trouble with the playhouse toppling over. Check this one out from ToysRUs, sits right on the lawn, and it's even taller with a smaller footprint http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3040627

These questions make me glad I built this playhouse before I blogged! That said, we will probably move the playhouse to concrete pier or deck blocks just because the extra step will preserve the playhouse longer and create greater stability. Just can't buy deck blocks locally.

Buckeyegal (not verified)

Mon, 05/31/2010 - 09:10

Our yard is slightly sloped so we opted to level the decking by burying the footings in the ground and cementing them in. Overkill the dear hubby says but it's not going anywhere. : )

Heather (not verified)

Thu, 06/03/2010 - 12:51

Yes!! Please pretty please, blog the covered porch option, that is awesome! Love it...Thanks Ana!

L + M (not verified)

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 10:38

I really like the stilts! We decided not to do stilts but to go high in the roof and do a sandbox next to it. I had a stilted playhouse as a kid.

Pictures of one weekend's worth of work are on our blog right now.

Twigs @ Twiggl… (not verified)

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 13:43

i just discovered your blog. no joke, i've bookmarked 20+ projects & i'm begging my husband to show my how to use his basic tools. i plan on listing our girls giant plastic kitchen on craigslist this weekend & making them a wood kitchen (as per our original plan!!) with the directions/plans you've posted. thank you so much for such great ideas!

Vicky (not verified)

Sun, 08/15/2010 - 00:01

I think it would be great if you adapted this to be a full-size tool or potting shed. My husband and I were looking for a plan we could build ourselves recently. I'm sure the term "DIY tool shed" it would increase male traffic to your site!

tjhester22 (not verified)

Mon, 09/20/2010 - 12:35

I am in the middle of building this playhouse... by myself, or actually with a little "help" from my 6 and 8 year olds, and it is basically my first project. I have to say I am pretty proud of myself!! Thank you for your easy to follow instructions!

I am actually building this for two goats. I don't want to put it up on a deck. Could I put it on concrete blocks? And the flooring I guess would just be the same grade plywood as the roof? Do I need floor rafters similar to the walls? This might be in the instructions somewhere. Point me in the right direction, if so!

Thank you Ana!!