The Best Wood to Use When Building a Treehouse

When building a treehouse, the type of wood you use is essential. You want to select a solid and durable wood type, so your treehouse can withstand the test of time. You could use many types of wood, but some are better than others.

You need to be careful when choosing suitable materials for your treehouse. This is because choosing the wrong wood can lead to injuries or accidents.

Building a treehouse is more challenging than it looks and requires a lot of planning, measuring and construction skills when thinking about treehouse ideas. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, most injuries from treehouses are caused by falls from the structure. A child's foot can be caught in a gap between boards, or a branch can break and fall on him as he's getting out of bed at night.

Let's check out the best treehouse ideas and learn the best wood to use when building a treehouse.

Framing

Choosing the right type of wood for framing and support beams is essential. This will help you to create the frame that will support your treehouse.

Here are some types of wood that are good for framing:

Cedar

Cedar is one of the most popular choices for framing because it has a deep color, which makes it easy to stain or paint. It also has a natural resistance to decay and insects. Cedar is lightweight and strong, so it doesn't require special fasteners or supports when used for framing.

Redwood

Redwood is another popular option because it's naturally resistant to decay and insects and can be stained or painted easily. Redwood is also lightweight but not as strong as cedar because of its softness and porous nature. It requires special fasteners or supports when used for framing.

Pine

Pine is the most commonly used wood for framing, and it's an affordable, easy-to-work-with and long-lasting material that works well for treehouses. The only downside of pine is that it isn't firm, so you'll have to use larger lumber than other species of wood when building your treehouse.

Walls

For the walls of your treehouse, you'll need to use a strong and lightweight material. The best choice is plywood or OSB (oriented strand board).

Plywood is made by gluing thin layers of wood together. It can be cumbersome if used independently, but it's one of the most robust materials available for building treehouses because it's so dense.

OSB (oriented strand board) is a type of plywood with added glue between each layer of wood strands. It's slightly less dense than regular plywood but very strong and lightweight.

For some treehouses, consider using solid wood boards instead of plywood or OSB to look more like traditional houses. Solid wood boards are usually too heavy to hang from a rope, so they must be nailed directly into the tree trunk to hold them up. This makes them more challenging to install but also makes them more secure once installed because there's no risk of shifting as there would be with rope-hung walls

Floor

The floor of your treehouse is one of the most critical parts of the structure, and it is the first thing that people will see when they step into the treehouse, and it needs to be strong and weather resistant. A good solid base for your treehouse will ensure that everything else above it is secure.

A wooden floor can make an excellent base for any type of structure, whether it be in a forest or on top of a building. The wood used for floors must be strong enough to take the weight of people walking over it or jumping up and down. The best way to ensure this is by using pressure-treated wood or plywood, as these materials are extra strong and can withstand heavy loads without breaking apart.

Reasons to Use High-quality Wood

The use of high-quality wood is essential for any treehouse ideas and treehouse designs. It can be used to build the frame, flooring, and furniture. Since it is an outdoor structure, you must take care of it. You may need to replace some parts after a few years, so you should use high-quality wood.

Here are some reasons why high-quality wood is best for treehouses:

Durability - High-quality wood is more durable than lesser grades of lumber. The less durable the lumber, the more likely it will rot, warp or crack when exposed to moisture over time.

Strength: You will also get stronger results with high-quality lumber because it has been dried properly and treated with preservatives that make it last longer when exposed to weather conditions like rain and snow.

Appearance: High-quality lumber looks better than low-grade wood because it's been sanded smooth before being painted or stained. It's also more attractive than pressure-treated lumber because it has no holes drilled (which can cause warping).

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the best wood to use when building a treehouse, you can confidently get started on your project. Remember that the most important thing is to have fun and let your imagination run wild. With some planning and elbow grease, you'll be able to build the treehouse of your dreams.

FAQ's

What is the best material for a treehouse?

The best material for a treehouse will last for many years, and the most common materials are wood, vinyl and metal.

How do I build my tree house?

If you have the skills, time and patience to build your own tree house, then it's a great thing to do. However, if you don't have those skills, it's not a good idea to start, and you could end up with a costly disaster.

The best way is to find someone local that has built one before and ask them for advice on how they did it and what pitfalls they encountered. Once you've got that information, you can make an informed decision on whether or not building your own tree house is right for you.

We have a step-by-step guide on how to build a treehouse.

What is a good size for a treehouse?

For the average family - a tree house that is 8 to 10 feet in diameter will give you enough room for two kids to sit or stand comfortably. 

If you have older children (over age 12), an 11-14 foot diameter treehouse is recommended. This will give them plenty of room to play and hang out with friends.

For larger groups (over four people), consider an 18+ foot diameter treehouse. These large structures can accommodate multiple kids playing at once in the same area - and even adults!

Do I need pressure-treated wood for the treehouse?

Yes. We recommend using pressure-treated lumber because it is resistant to rot, decay and termites. The only type of non-treated lumber we recommend is cedar, but it must be treated with a preservative before you install it in your treehouse.

How do you know if a tree is strong enough for a treehouse?

The best way to determine if a tree is strong enough to support your treehouse is to hire an arborist or a treehouse builder to inspect the tree before construction begins. Treehouse builders and arborists will assess the health of the tree and its ability to withstand the weight of your structure. It's also important that they check for nearby utility lines that could cause problems with construction or use later down the road.

The cost of hiring an arborist depends on where you live and how much work needs to be done, but it should generally run anywhere from $250-$500 depending on the size and location of your property.