How to build a Tree House with a Slide and Swing-Set

Making the handrail

Step 23: Mark for the handrail uprights

Cut the handrail pieces to size and lay them in place on top of the tree house deck.

Work out where the balusters go and mark the positions on both the handrail and the boundary joist.

Ensure that the gap between balusters is not more than 100mm (4″).

Step 24: Fix the balusters to the handrail

Lay the handrail on a flat work surface.

Nail the top of the balusters to the handrail on the marks.

Use three 75mm (3″) galvanized nails at each meeting. Nail one through the face of the baluster into the handrail and angle nail the other two through the sides of the balusters into the handrail.

Pre-drill the holes in the balusters first.

Step 25: Fix the balusters to the joists

Pick the handrail portion up and temporarily clamp it in position to the boundary joist.

Nail the bottom of the balusters to the boundary joist on the marks.

Use three 75mm (3″) galvanized nails at each meeting. Nail one through the face of the baluster into the joist and angle nail the other two through the sides of the balusters into the joist.

Pre-drill the holes in the balusters.

Step 26: Posts for the slide entry

Position two posts, one each side of the slide.

Dig the post into the ground about 500mm (20″).

No concrete is necessary, just ram and compact the soil around the post.

Cut the tops of the posts to the required height and add a header.

Step 27: The stair handrail

Use 150×50 (2″x6″) stock for the stair handrail.

That is so the balusters can be fixed to the handrail about 62mm (2-1/2″) from the top, leaving enough free space for hands to be able to slide along the handrail without fingers catching the tops of the balusters.

Make the height of the handrail 1000mm (44″) off the deck around the platform but a little lower up the outer side of the stairs.