FAQ
Tree house kits are all-inclusive DIY kits for building a playhouse for kids on several trees. We believe that it is intended for parents living in private houses with a backyard with some quite big trees in it and having some tools and essential skills for making something DIY.
On the other hand, it is possible to find some help from neighbourhood carpenters who can assemble the tree house in your backyard.
Other possible users of our tree house kits: kindergartens, camping, restaurants, cafes, apartment communities, schools, some other communities, etc. The most important thing is to have some trees suitable for the tree houses. Feel free to contact us for consultation.
Tree house kits supplied by our company are intended for kids and comply with the requirements of standard EN 1176-1. However, children playing in the tree house should be supervised by their parents or other grown-ups to ensure the safety of the play. We wave any responsibility for any losses or harm to the objects or people because of unintended use of the tree house, lack of technical skills necessary to assemble the kit or injuries to children playing unattended by the adults. The responsibility for the safety of the assembled tree house used under its intended purpose is carried by the owner of the tree house and parents or other supervisors of children. Normally, if mounting instructions are followed and no major modifications are made to the kit without our express written agreement, it will be safe to play in the tree house. The main safety requirement is that the tree house should prevent children from falling dawn on the ground and there should be a safe area around the tree house without any hazards and with a soft surface (wood chips and similar).
Tree houses are also loved by teens and adults as a calm and safe personal space. There are just unlimited possibilities of decoration and creation of your unique atmosphere.
Tree house kits are made of vacuum impregnated C24 calibrated wood (all wood is in brown, planned, dried and impregnated). The playhouse’s walls are made of vacuum impregnated siding boards and wood frames. Windows are made from the same wood and polycarbonate glass (unbreakable). The door is made from the same siding boards and wood frame. The roof is made from wood frame and laminated waterproof 9 mm plywood. The platform’s safety fence is made from vacuum impregnated wood boards. Ladders are made of stainless steel.
Painted playhouses are produced from natural colour wood the outside of which is painted in custom colour. The inside of the playhouse is of natural colour wood without painting.
The tree house has 4 specially made hanging parts for hanging the platform. These parts are made from zinc-coated steel. In addition, there are 4 specifically made M20 rings for fastening the hanging parts. These parts allow to level the platform during assembly and later, after e.g. one year’s period when the trees grow a little, the hanging parts allow to level the platform again. Together with the hanging parts metal rope is provided for stabilization of the platform. We supply all the information about the assembly and hanging of the platform and the tree house only to our customers.
At least 2 trees are necessary for using our tree house kit. Each tree has to be of at least 25-30 cm diameter (if you have smaller trees or more trees, please contact us for consultation). The distance between trees should be max. 5.2 m, the minimum distance depends on the playhouse of your choice. According to our experience, it is good to have at least 1.8 m between the trees. The trees have to be healthy, with enough space for the tree house to be designed. We will give some advice when we will be able to see the pictures of the trees and the backyard.
Measurements have to be taken at 4 points:
A – Distance between the trees at the height you want to place your tree house. The distance must be measured from the centre of one tree to the centre of the other tree.
B – The height of the tree house: there will be two measurements – the floor height and the height at the bottom of the main beam. The latter is approx. 30-35 cm lower than the floor height, because we are using 145 or 195 mm height beams + 95 mm height beams + 28 mm boards. If the distance between the trees is up to 4 m, then 145 mm main beams are used; if the distance between the trees exceeds 4 m, then 195 mm main beams will be used. So the height of the tree house floor level should be measured from the ground to the target height. This measurement is important for us to make the right length of the ladders.
C – The circumference of tree No 1. It should be measured at the level of the floor, placing the measuring tape around the tree. The measurement you will get will be the circumference of the tree.
D – The circumference of tree No 2. The same procedure as for measuring point C.
Having measurements C and D we can calculate the diameter of the trees. Diameter is calculated as follows:
Diameter = C or D / 3.14.
The diameter of the trees is important as it allows us to make the right width of the main beams system. The inner width of the main beams system is calculated per the diameter of the larger tree plus 10-15 cm.
Having measurement A, the diameter of the trees No. 1 and No. 2 we can calculate the length of the main beams:
A + Diameter 1 + Diameter 2 + 30 cm = maximum beam length
Since we want to make shipping as economical as possible, our main beams come cut to a certain length. In any case, it is best if the maximum length of the main beam is up to 6 m. In the event you calculate a longer beam, please contact us.
According to the standard EN 1176-3 the ground around the tree house must be free of any hazards. The best surface is wood chips. The layer of wood chips should be calculated in the following way: tree house floor height × 0.1 + 0.1 m. For example, if the tree house floor is at 2 m height, then 2 m × 0.1 + 0.1 = 0.3 m. So you need to make a layer of 30 cm of wood chips spreading them under the platform and around the platform the covered area corresponding to the height of the tree house floor. For instance, if the floor is at 2 m height it means that the zone of wood chips around the tree house platform should be 2 m wide.
Yes, you can hang extra swings or hammocks under the tree house platform. For hanging extra items you need to use special ring screws.
In our experience, it is best if at least 2 people are engaged in the assembling of a tree house. In this case, it takes approx. 25 hours to assemble all parts and to make a playhouse. At least one person should have minimum skills of turning in screws with a battery-powered screwdriver.
Skills and tools needed to assemble a tree house:
- Using battery screwdriver + a screwdriver
- Drilling the hole in the tree + electric or battery drill
- Leveling the wood frame + leveller
- Screw wrench
- Ladders
- Maybe some extra small skills and tools to be found in every garage (measurement tape, hammer, pencil, hand saw, pliers, metal strip, hand screwdriver, etc.).
We are ready to give as much advice as possible. Consultations are provided via e-mail, messenger or phone (in English, Lithuanian and Russian), as well as virtual consultations (via Zoom, Meet etc.).
Yes, we can assemble your tree house. If coming on-site is requested the price is calculated individually according to the destination. Provided all conditions are agreed upon for our team to come to your place, we bring our tools as well. If there are more tree house projects in the neighbourhood, then it is possible to cooperate and reduce travelling costs. In case we carry out the assembly of your tree house, then the design and the whole project can be fully custom-made.
Yes, we offer custom design. We always study each tree house project individually and then make some small changes free of charge. We can change the places of windows, their number and dimensions. We can place ladders in different places and change the safety fence according to the location of the ladder. Also, we adapt the size of the platform and terrace according to the distance between the trees. We aim to provide as big platform as possible, so the client could enjoy the best value.
In addition to that, we can paint a playhouse with a preferred colour (we can paint only a playhouse, but not the platform’s wood frame and safety fence).
We also offer custom-built tree houses of various designs, sizes, etc. Since our mission is to make your dream tree house a reality we are always open to our clients’ ideas and take care to implement the project safely.
What is the life span of a tree house?
Each tree house is subject to regular inspection and maintenance to ensure its safety and perfect condition. The owner of the tree house has to ensure:
- Regular (every month) check of the wood frame and other hanging parts, also the ladder; any damaged parts have to be repaired or changed. The same applies to the parts of the platform, playhouse and safety fence.
- Cleaning the terrace and playhouse roof, windows and walls. All mentioned parts can be cleaned with a high-pressure machine. It must be done twice a year (we recommend doing this in spring and autumn).
- Removal of the tree leaves from the tree house in autumn.
- Removal of snow from the tree house. It is crucial after every hard snow, especially heavy and wet snow is dangerous. We calculate that a tree house can bear at least 2,000 kg extra load, but snow can weigh significantly more.
Therefore snow should be cleaned as soon as possible.
The first step for the client is to choose the design of the tree house (please find our standard projects here or you may request your own custom-made tree house project) and to make simple handmade drawings or photos with measurement tape next to the trees on site. Drawing should provide diameters of the trees and distance between the trees (see paragraph “How to measure trees for the tree house?”). Some photos of the trees and the surroundings are also very helpful.
The second step is to send an inquiry together with drawings and photos to us. Having evaluated the fitness of the trees for the tree house we will send a price offer for the tree house including shipping provided our decision regarding the possibility to build a tree house is positive.
The third step – contract: having agreed on the price and other aspects of the project, an agreement is signed and a proforma invoice for a down payment is issued.
The fourth step is making a 50% down payment of the final price by the client.
The fifth step is adapting the tree house design to the client’s trees and backyard. Manufacturing begins after the client’s confirmation of the project details. Production takes approx. 4-5 weeks. Having finished the production we notify the client about that. During production time we make photos and some videos of the assembled tree house and send them to the client. This way the client can see the quality of the tree house and some assembly procedures.
The sixth step is the payment of the remaining 50% of the total amount and arrangement of the shipping.
The seventh step is the reception of the tree house kit by the client and its assembly. During this period, the client can contact us for any support.