When you build a backyard treehouse, you add an extra layer of charm to your property. They are fun and full of character. Treehouses encourage your kids to enjoy their time playing outside because they aren’t left to fend for themselves in a wide open yard. You can go out of your way to make a treehouse a space worthy of hours of entertainment. Consider incorporating elements like a rock wall, swings, or even a zipline. But it isn’t just a space for children to hang out. People of any age can use treehouses to have a private getaway with their friends and family members. Who knows—you might even be inspired to have an outdoor movie night in there!
Austin custom home builders are capable of creating a treehouse that checks off all of your boxes. Considering their experience working on larger scaled projects, they already have a good amount of knowledge when it comes to best building practices. There are seven things that they won’t skip out on when bringing your treehouse to life.
Research Building Regulations
You don’t want to wrap up with building and then be told that you have to tear down your creation. That is an incredibly frustrating turn of events. So, before you get your treehouse, an Austin custom home builder will need to look into local building codes. According to the Texas Transportation Code, treehouses are permitted in the city of Austin as long as they don’t interfere with or create a dangerous condition on the street or sidewalk. There should be no intrusion upon the lives of your neighbors. For that reason, you are able to have your treehouse built in the backyard, not in the front. The sufficient distance from your property line will depend on individual local building regulations. Once you have obtained all of the necessary permits and have an understanding of the zoning ordinances, you can kick off your project.
Choose the Right Tree and Plan
Unfortunately, the trees that you have in your backyard may not be fit for a treehouse. This is something that you need to think about before getting an Austin custom home builder involved. A strong, healthy tree is necessary to support the added weight of a treehouse. It could be a single tree or multiple nearby trees. Heavier treehouses should make use of the multiple tree option. In either case, there are two factors you must consider—height and branch thickness. Height is important in terms of safety and the effect of the wind. Alternately, branch thickness will determine the points of support. The top four types of trees that check the protective boxes are oak, hemlock, maple, and beech.
Don’t Restrict the Tree’s Growth
Professional builders will take care to leave gaps around the tree. Considering the tree won’t stay the same forever, this accommodates any future growth or movement. If the tree passes through the floor, there should be a two-inch gap. On the other hand, if it passes through the roof, the gap should be three inches. Note that the branches shouldn’t be constricted with rope or wire. If that rope or wire is left there long enough, the tree will actually attempt to grow around it. Tightly tying branches can also result in the premature death of the tree. This is because the bonds open up the possibility of pathogens entering the bark. They don’t allow the tree to thicken naturally, either. Arbor ties are much better suited for trees that need support.
Think About Weight and Stability
It’s critical that the platform of your treehouse is level. This platform includes the frame and interior support beams. It is recommended that this be built on the ground because it is easier to get it into position. You will raise the platform to the desired height, then add the main supports. Safety is key in any building project. Precautions need to be taken to ensure that boards won’t crack and the platform won’t collapse. It’s easy to get carried away with all of the additions you want to have. You end up not thinking about how much it’s going to weigh down the tree. But the pros will know how to brace for extra strength to support even uneven loads. The majority of that load, though, should be placed on the base of the tree.
Sturdy Railings are a Must
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make with a treehouse is not leaving enough space to move along on the porch area. Austin custom home builders will know precisely what size everything needs to be so that your family and friends don’t feel confined. After all, you also don’t want anyone to accidentally fall over the edge. This could especially be the case for your children as they are running around the treehouse. They need enough space between them and the edge. In order to be up to code, the railings should be tall enough to add a real layer of protection. For that matter, if safety is a big problem for you, it would be best to keep the treehouse on the lower end of the tree, as close to the trunk as possible. It will keep possible injuries at a minimum.
Don’t Forget to Weatherproof
Your treehouse is going to have to stand up to the elements. Considering you want it to last as long as possible, you need to ensure that the creation is weatherproofed. If the roof isn’t able to divert rain away, then it will ruin anything you have left on the inside. And if the wood doesn’t dry properly, it can mold and rot. This process happens quickly when wood gets damp. It can cause problems for the supports of your treehouse down the road. So, you want the water, snow, and sleet to fall right off. With that in mind, a best practice by Austin custom home builders for treehouse roofing is to not make it flat. If it is, the water will just sit there. Using a pitched roof with a slope of at least 30-degrees is a better idea to avoid build-up.
Always Use Your Imagination
As we learned in the beginning, there is a lot that you can do to make your treehouse as fun as possible. It might be that you decide to give the space a theme. Your kids could be fans of pirates or princesses—or even both! Feel free to think outside of the box as you transform your new treehouse into a pirate ship, castle, or combination of the two. Have your builder work this theme into the blueprint design accordingly, and then figure out all of the appropriate decorations. Otherwise, you may just want it to be a nice, relaxing space. Throw in a cushioned seating area so that you can kick back with a nice book. Have your builder make a dreamy wrap-around porch so that you can stargaze. Austin custom home builders set out to provide you with your dream every time.
Construction doesn’t just have to happen on the interior of your home. Make your entire property a more enjoyable place to spend your time with the help of Austin custom home builders. Bat City Builders offers services across the Greater Austin area, including treehouse design and creation. Set up a call with us if you want a safe, livable space above your backyard.
Photos, in order of appearance, by:
- Brett Sayles on Pexels
- Michal Parzuchowski on Unsplash
- Matthew Harwood on Unsplash