Build playhouse from remodeling materials
The team at On Point Custom Homes recently built and donated a oneof-a-kind, wheelchair accessible, ADA-compliant Playhouse for the Ronald McDonald House. The playhouse was a way to give back to our community and do something that would brighten the day of the children who are going through tough times.
As we designed and built the playhouse, many of our clients asked us how they could design and build a playhouse for their backyard as part of their current construction plans. Building a playhouse doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Here are three ways your builder can easily incorporate an exciting playhouse as part of your remodel or building product plans.
A builder or remodeler can use any materials that are being removed or demolished from your home during its remodel if they are still in good, safe condition. These materials include old windows, siding, wood flooring and more.
The playhouse can be a replica of your current home, or a new design. If using materials from your home’s demo, pay close attention to the age of your home as some materials, especially in older homes, may contain asbestos or lead-based paints. If that is the case, your builder or remodeler should not use it in the new playhouse.
The benefits of building a playhouse in conjunction with your home remodel is that you will save on extra materials as well as labor. Using salvaged materials from a remodel on the playhouse is a costsaver and eco-friendly since your builder can repurpose materials.
Even if you choose to use all new materials for the playhouse, by bundling your playhouse material orders with the larger remodel needs, you are likely to save on costs. Lastly, when it comes to labor, adding a playhouse is a reasonably small addon for your contractor when they are already on site for a larger remodel project.
The sky is the limit when choosing features and finishes for the playhouse. First, work with your builder to decide what you want the overall design to look like as well as how elaborate you want the finishes.
A popular trend is to make the playhouse a mini replica of the main home it accompanies. You do this by mimicking the same overall design style, using the same exterior, roofing and paint colors. To take it one step further, you can add operable windows, shutters and doors that match your home and even add front porches and planter boxes to improve the aesthetics. It’s important for you and the builders to consider safety issues in the overall design ensuring there are no sharp edges on roofs or exposed fasteners that would make it unsafe for children.
Whether you are remodeling your home’s interior or just giving your backyard a face-lift, adding a playhouse to the project scope is a way to incorporate a fun and exciting addition for your children. By bundling the playhouse project with a current renovation, you have the opportunity to reuse salvageable materials, as well as save on additional material purchases and labor costs.