Ready for some playhouse updates?! Three weeks ago we introduced this project, built the frame, and then started on the exterior. Today I wanted to show you how we finished off the front elevation and roof! This little playhouse is really starting to come together and I’m able to do some of the fun decorating parts!
building a playhouse- roof and front elevation
Earlier this week we worked on the fire pit area and you can see where we started off with the playhouse. I was struggling with the top of the second story- it looked ridiculous! I thought I’d show how we finished off the front! Then hopefully next week we can get going on the inside. Don is SO excited to start setting up his bones on the shelves we’ll have inside.
SUPPLIES
- Metal Roof– we needed 10 pieces for a total of $143.30
- Flashing for the Pitch of the Roof- $11.64
- Metal Screws for the Roof– we needed 5 bags for a total of $16.44
- 2×4’s for the creating an overhang- we needed 4 for a total of $14.48
- Window from Habitat for Humanity for loft $30
This week’s total- $215.86
If you’re thinking- wow, that’s a lot to spend on a roof! You’re right- lol. But also, we priced out lots of options (including shingles) and they were all more expensive than this. So we went with a metal roof because we thought it looked nice, but wasn’t $500.
step 1
The first thing we did was install the 2×4’s on the front and back of the house at the peak to create a bit of an overhang. Our playhouse is exactly 8′ wide and so we used 8′ sheets of plywood and had no overhang. Which was a mistake. This helped it look much better and made it so the roof could overhand the front as well.
Installing the roof was a two person job. I handed up the roof pieces to my husband who screwed them onto the roof. Hint- wear gloves for handling a metal roof since the edges are super sharp. Each piece needs to overlap the next piece by about a foot to avoid leaks. Having a tall ladder was 100% necessary.
To make installation a little safer, my husband screwed 2×4’s into the roof so he had a. place to stand. After the roof panels was installed, the flashing was screwed over the peak. The roof installation was a 4-5 hour project.
step 2
Next, I worked on some fun details. I have a great tip for you- if you want to make a custom sign, grab a pre made sign at the craft store. This was one that was sitting in my basement, but I no longer liked what it said. So I sanded off the old saying and repainted the front. I used my Cricut to print new vinyl words for the front.
For the mailbox, I bought a vintage one from Habitat for Humanity. It was in it’s original 1950’s box and so cute! For that, I also used my Cricut to cut out Don’s name and then we attached it to the front of the house. Isn’t the gold starburst so fun?!
step 3
And now you can see that we still needed to deal with the top of the front. We bought a window for the loft from Habitat for Humanity and then cut a hole out in the loft section.
Having that out felt amazing! Then the new window went in and I started painting the top. The whole exterior got a second coat of paint. We also installed the center onlay over the door which looked amazing!
We still need to put up boards under the rafters on the sides and paint them white. But everything else is looking good!
Ready to see the after?!
after
Here’s the front of the playhouse all finished up! You can see where I hung the sign. We named the playhouse “petite Fairview Cottage” since our house is named Fairview Cottage. I think it’s looking MUCH better than where we started!
You can see the metal roof better from this view. I bet it’ll sound like magic inside the playhouse when it rains! The new window will be great because it’s easy to open and close so you can get a great breeze up top.
I’m planning a rainbow fence to the left of the playhouse soon! And putting up a swing too. So there’s lots of work to do still, but it’s looking real cute- don’t you think?! Wouldn’t you have loved this as a kid? I sure would have! Look forward to some interior work next week!
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