How to Make a Treehouse Part 1 | I Like To Make Stuff

I've always wanted to build a tree house, and thanks to Lowe's, we're finally able to make that happen! In part 1 of 2, we are building a sturdy platform for the treehouse that you can build too! This project was sponsored by Lowe's, check out the links below for the products we used!

TOOLS & SUPPLIES (affiliate links):

After attaching the TABs to the tree, I rented a two-person auger and drilled some huge holes in the ground. In these holes, we placed 4x4 beams and set them with Sakcrete. These two beams will be the uprights that will hold up the other end of the platform. We laminated two 2x10s and fixed them in between the two vertical beams.

To make the support platform for the treehouse, I used joist hangers to mount 2 2x10x to the face of the laminated header connected to the upright beams. The other end of these large pieces of lumber will sit on the TABs connected to the tree. I then mounted some 45-degree joist hangers to the face of the header and cut down some more 2x10s to connect the header corners to the 2x10s sitting on the TABs. We now had a triangular support system that was supported by the tree and by the vertical beams set into the ground. To add some additional lateral support, we added some knee braces to the inside of the vertical beams.

Now that the treehouse has a sturdy foundation, it is time to add the walking deck. Depending on the span of your support joists, you may be able to just lay down some decking material and call it good. In our case, I am going to build a deck frame made out of 2x8s and set them on top of the support joists. These decking frame pieces have a 16 inch spacing and hang over the support frame. We used decking brackets to attach the deck frame to the support frame.

Once the frame for the deck was in place and capped at the ends, we began to lay down the actual decking. All of this lumber was pressure treated so that it can withstand the outdoors. The decking boards were secured to the deck frame with 3 inch decking screws and spaced about 1/8 inch apart to allow for wood movement over time. I trimmed off the overhanging decking boards and the treehouse platform was all done!

Part 1 of this two-part project was just about making a sturdy platform for the rest of the treehouse. This platform construction allows you to have a blank canvas on which to build your treehouse. It could be an elevated deck or a fully-enclosed tiny house, it's all up to you. Big thanks to Lowe's for sponsoring this project. Stay tuned for Part 2!

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How to Make a Treehouse Part 1 | I Like To Make Stuff

I Like To Make Stuff

[abbeyramsey]

2:14
Am I the only one that thinks that is a comically large wrench 😂

[stephenhegarty]

You really shouldn't use deck screws on the galvanized hangers, they just don't have the required shear strength. There are specific screw fasteners you can use, or nails.

[chronicgaming]

Hit by
Bolts in its neck....

Holy crap its Frankentree!

Keep up the good work 😁

[Falney]

When I was 12 I built a tree house out of "stolen" pallet wood. Looking back on it, it was extremely sketchy. But at the time it was amazing.

Also, I learned later on that the owner of the lumber yard knew I was taking the pallet wood and actually purposefully left it there for me to take xD But at the time I thought I was being sneaky since I couldn't afford lumber.

[bradleyabel]

Honestly, he is the kind of dad everyone always literally will build you anything you want that you ask for

[JohnBorgen]

Not going to cut out limbs that are alive, if we can help it....only shows clips of living branches being trimmed.

[hamzaimran]

The worst part is...






Having to wait a week for part 2. Great job Bob.

[garrettrobinson]

Bob: "We're gonna make this really strong"
Also Bob: [screws into end grain]

[srmofoable]

I don't want to be that guy... but get some structural screws into those beams. (what appears to be) Standard deck screws are not approved for use with those hangers. And while I don't see any issues in the short term, the trees movement, height, and the fact that it is your children that are going to be affected by a failure all tend to make me a safety czar in this issue. Maybe you know this already, maybe you don't....just keep it in mind. Also, those brackets should not be bent or modified, but I see far less issue with that than screws that will see constant movement, rust, and eventually snap off suddenly.

[itssaad]

This tree was hit by a lightning




THIS MUST BE A GREAT PLACE FOR A TREE HOUSE!!

[justinhoffman]

You should be emphasizing the appropriate usage of nails vs screws. (Maybe a Bits episode?) In your case, you are mostly using brackets to carry a load and screws to secure the brackets. But if someone is relying purely on a fastener to carry a load, a nail is better.

Nails tend to bend. Screws tend to snap. If a joint fails, it is more likely to remain intact with nails, and more likely to disconnect with screws.

[gronsmans]

A transparent tube, both ends open with some length and filled with water will do you good for levelling.

[Fsilone]

Tree houses are actually pretty metal. It's like, I killed your friend; here, hold him for me.

[jason]

Bob, make a billiard table please, it is a very interesting project.
btw I am really excited for the tree house

[tylerbowman]

Bob, you always amaze me by your ability to find an available lumber cart at Lowe's

[Zathren]

Never clicked so fast. I always wanted a treehouse growing up. Already can't wait for part two.

[Nekon]

I am going to cut away all these dead branches...



Starts cutting living branches from the tree.


Haha.


Watch out, the tree lovers will get you! Great work on part 1, love tree houses.

[iggyandangus]

Screws will do for this job most likely, but if you were building a deck or something, nails have to be used because they have a stronger sheer strength. They also make structural screws that I believe would also be acceptable.

[tocov]

I'm not hating or anything, but I thought the whole concept of a tree house is to use the natural growth and branches to build around them and take advantage. Not to saw off all branches and build an entire unrelated structure that just touches a tree.

It's still a cool build, and I loved the video. But it kinda defeats the purpose of a treehouse IMO.

[canaldapoeira]

I said this once, and I'll say it again: You are the coolest dad! Me and my wife are expecting our first child, and I can't wait to make cool stuff for her (It's a baby girl)!