Construction tutorial - The house itself

Doors and windows

If you are putting a door in a wall make sure that the frame cannot twist. On a ground based house this isn't usually a problem, but the limited size of most treehouses means that the weight of the door may twist the frame slightly, letting the door rub on the floor and possibly stick. An alternative is a trapdoor in the floor, but it can be difficult to climb in through a trapdoor. If you choose this idea, you could put a counterweight on string over a pulley to make the door really easy to open (if it is on hinges) as shown in the diagram below.

A lock is recommended to keep intruders out - make sure it cannot be broken easily. See the security page for more details.

Windows are one of the key features of a completed treehouse, allowing you to gaze out from your new hideaway through the branches and beyond. If the conditions allow it, put lots of windows in your treehouse so you never forget how close you are to the natural beauty of the tree.

Windows are quite easy to fit, and they can be hinged, but I suggest that you fit them into a suitable frame on the ground and attach this to the treehouse. Try and put them on a side of the treehouse that is difficult to get to from the outside, to reduce the chance of people breaking in that way. Glass is easy to clean and is traditional, but if the treehouse twisted badly it could shatter. Perspex or safety glass (as used in car windscreens) is safer, but Perspex scratches easily, and squeaks if it rubs against any wood. This happens in my treehouse because I have some corrugated Perspex lying on wooden beams, and it is very annoying! There is more information on securing windows on the security page.