DIY Network

Playhouse, Painting and Fencing Playhouse, Painting and Fencing From "Weekend Landscaping" episode WKL-204

The finished playhouse: any child's dream!

Playhouses can be built by hand or purchased as kits, assembled or unassembled. Shop around for the best deal, and look for good quality construction, smooth edges and, if painted, non-toxic paint. In advance of delivery, find out what type of surface the structure will need to sit on. If the structure sits directly on the ground, you will need to grade the soil surface prior to delivery. This is also a good time to make sure the delivery truck has convenient access to the designated area.

When installing a playhouse in an area with trees, be aware that the root systems of trees are very sensitive. The best way to have a small structure close to tree roots is by literally building above the root system, so the root system never comes in contact with the building structure.

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With the house in place:

• Sand or smooth any rough spots or edges.

• If the house is not primed, apply a coat of quality primer to prevent having to repaint every year.

• Choose an exterior paint that can hold up to sun and weather. Latex is easy to use, and cleans up with water. Use the best quality paint you can afford, since quality paints have more finely ground pigment added. They also clean up easier and last longer. Lighter coats may require more than one coat, but never apply latex paint if the temperature is below 50 degrees. Colder areas may want to wait for warmer weather to paint. In warmer weather, never paint in hot, direct sunlight: the heat may cause the paint to blister. Paint western walls in the morning and eastern walls in the afternoon. Southern walls should be painted in the morning or when they are the most shaded.

• Mask off areas to be painted (figure A), then invite the playhouse owners to grab a brush and help paint. Happy, cheery colors are used here in primary colors of red, yellow, and blue.

• When painting is completed, it's time to mark off the fence rows. Jessie uses powdered chalk to create a free-form fence line (figure B). If you don't have powdered chalk handy, fill a paper cup with flour and punch a hole in the bottom of the cup to make an instant dispenser. Straight lines or angles should be drawn using a chalk string line.

• The fence used here is a 2' wooden picket fence installed stake side down, both for safety and because the stake ends help anchor it into the ground (figure C). If you have extra fencing left, it can easily be trimmed off.
  

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

RESOURCES :
Child's Outdoor Playhouse
Basic model with Dutch door
Dimensions: 5'9"W x 8'L x 6'9"H
Approximate cost: $1,185.00
KinderHomes
DBA - EZ Systems
PO Box 1835
Oregon City, OR 97045
Toll-free phone: 800-501-2737
Toll-free fax: 800-501-2129
E-mail: info@kinderhomes.com
Website: www.kinderhomes.com

GUESTS :
Sharon Lovejoy
PO Box 629
Cambria, CA 92428-0629
Phone: 805-927-1224
Email: Sharon@sharonlovejoy.com
Website: www.sharonlovejoy.com
Author

Nan Sterman
Email: nsterman@plantsoup.com
Garden Writer & Teacher