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Framing
Build the walls on the ground, stand them up and then nail them into place.
Step 1: Wall Studs
Cut nineteen 5' 6" lengths of 2" x 4" from 12' lengths for the wall studs.
Step 2: Rear Wall
Use two 8' lengths of 2" x 4" for the top and bottom plates. Space the studs 2' on center between the top and bottom plates and secure
the studs by nailing through the plates with 8d 2 1/2" galvanized common nails. Cut four 2" x 4" x 21 1/2" pieces and nail them,
horizontally, between the studs about halfway up the wall.
Set the rear wall in place directly over the rear rim joist and floor. Nail the rear wall into place with 16d 3 1/2" galvanized common
nails, driven through the wall's bottom plate and the floor and into the rim joist. Temporarily
prop up the rear wall with an 8'-long 2" x 4". Rest one end on the ground and nail the other
at an angle into the right-side stud of the back wall, at a height of about 4'.
Step 3: Side Walls
The two side walls are identical. Our windows required a 17 3/4"-wide x 15 1/4"-high
opening. If you use different windows, adjust the distance between the two center studs. In
doing so, make sure you have a stud centered at 4' from the back of the playhouse to use as a
nailer for the edges of the sheathing boards. Since the side walls will be mounted 3 1/2"
from the back of the playhouse, the middle nailers should be centered at 44 1/2" from the
back of the side walls.
Cut four 2" x 4" x 65" pieces from 12' lengths for the top and bottom plates. Nail the plates
to the end studs with two 8d 2 1/2" common nails at each joint. Nail one stud on center at 44
1/2" from the back of each side wall. Nail another stud at the appropriate distance for the window framing.
Set one side wall in place, butted up against the end of the rear wall and flush with the edge of the side rim joist. Nail the wall into
place with 16d 3 1/2" nails. Use a level to make sure that the wall is plumb and then secure it to the end of the back wall with 8d 2
1/2" common nails. Repeat for the other side wall.
Step 4: Front Wall
Use two 2" x 4" x 8' pieces for the top and bottom plates. Fasten a stud to each end of the top plate by nailing through the plate into the
stud, using two 8d 2 1/2" common nails at each joint. Fasten the bottom plate to the two end studs with 8d 2 1/2" common nails.
Fasten another stud 22" from the right end of the front wall for the edge of the doorway. Fasten a fourth stud so that it is centered 48"
from each side of the wall. This will serve as the second stud for the doorway and as a nailer for the left front sheathing. The other two
studs serve as framing for the front window. We spaced them 17 3/4" apart so that their centers were 61" and 79 1/4" from the right
side of the wall (adjust for different window sizes).
Set the front wall in place, butted up against the side walls and flush with the edge of the plywood floor. Nail the front wall to the floor
with 16d 3 1/2" common nails. Make sure the front and side walls are plumb and nail their end studs together with 8d 2 1/2" common
nails.
Step 5: Porch Posts
Cut three 4" x 4" x 6' 2-1/2" pieces of lumber rated for outdoor use for porch posts. Cut a 3 1/2"-long by 1 1/8"-deep notch at the top
of the front face of each post. The easiest way to do this is to make a series of 1 1/8"-deep cuts in the face about 1/2" apart, break out
the cuts and clean out the excess wood with a 2"-wide, sharp chisel.
Cut 5 1/2"-long, 1 1/8"-deep notches on the bottom front faces of the posts, at the bottom left side of one post and at the bottom right
side of another post.
Stand the left post inside the rim joists at the front left of the playhouse. The notches will allow the base of the post to be flush with
the left and front rim joists. Have a helper hold the post plumb. Secure the post to the floor frame by nailing through the rim joists with
four 12d 3 1/4" common nails. Repeat for right post.
Stand the center post inside the front rim joist with its center at 50" from the right side of the frame. The notch allows the base of the
post to be flush with the front of the rim joist. Secure it to the rim joist with two 12d 3 1/4" common nails.
Step 6: Top Plates
Insert one 2" x 4" x 8' into the top notches of the front posts as a ledger board. Check that the posts are plumb and secure the ledger to
each post with two 2 1/2" #7 deck screws.