| With a wide range of materials, tree houses can be | | | | the floor more rigid, it will resist twisting forces. A |
| built. Due to its strength, light weight and low cost, | | | | thickness of 3/4" will span joists of 12" between |
| wood is commonly used for structural parts and | | | | centers. To prevent water running onto areas of the |
| cladding. Specialized tree bolts capable of supporting | | | | floor that is not roofed, you will need Plywood. |
| up to 6000 pounds (2700 kg) steel are used for | | | | Plywood does not allow drainage or ventilation and |
| brackets, cables and bolts. Recycled materials or | | | | will extend the life of any wood material you use for |
| parts, such as reclaimed window frames, doors and | | | | the floor and this is good practice in general. |
| used lumber are what builders of tree houses | | | | Use a minimum of 1" thickness with joists set at 12" |
| sometimes use. To promote sustainability by re-using | | | | between centers and for floor material Timber |
| resources is one motivation for this. You also save | | | | boards are well suited. It allows air to ventilate the |
| money compared with buying new materials by using | | | | tree house through gaps in the floor when cut to |
| some reclaiming materials and this can also add up to | | | | size than large, heavy sheets of plywood, Timber is |
| abstract styles and retro designs to the structure of | | | | easier to raise into the tree. For a strong and good |
| the tree house. Non-rigid temporary structures that | | | | looking floor, you can use hardwood flooring in a tree |
| are more like tree tents than tree houses can be use | | | | house, such as oak or maple. To create a timber |
| like fabrics. | | | | frame effect, oak or other hardwoods can be used |
| Regular timber has fixed dimension and will have a | | | | but to the structure it might add more weight to it. |
| predictable strength and you can get it easily from | | | | To allow rain to run off without penetrating the wall, |
| any lumber store. Self-harvested wood can be used | | | | boards are usually overlapped a technique called |
| but it should be sawn because it is weaker when | | | | shiplapping. To make the structure much more rigid |
| green and when revealed, the hidden defects could | | | | plywood is useful as a base layer if the frame is very |
| surely cause failures. | | | | lightweight. Covering materials are usually |
| Support beams should not be twisted when viewed | | | | non-structural that is why alternative materials for |
| along a long edge and should be free of large knots | | | | the walls can be used to add visual interest. To allow |
| and splits. Exterior plywood is very strong and is | | | | air in to ventilate the tree house and to add a natural |
| suitable for use in potentially damp situations. Making | | | | look, woven branches are used. |