Free Playhouse Plans

Installing the playhouseA small house for children to play in. doorA horizontal framing member above the door/window opening.

Step 1. Assemble

Lay the door frame on a flat surface and then sit the door into the door frame rebateAn L-shaped cutout with one side, that is always at an end or side of a member, unlike a notch that is a U-shaped cutout..
Make sure that the gap between the door and door frame is even all the way around.
Screw two hinges to the door and the door frame: one at the top and one at the bottom.
Use either butt hinges or T-hinges.

With the door still laying on a flat surface fixTo secure with nails or screws. 75mm x 25mm (1×3) trimThe finish materials in a building, such as narrow boards applied around openings (window trim, door trim) and vertical corner battens. to the perimeterboundary. of the door frame.

Step 2. Install

Place the completed door and frame into the door hole (rough openingTrim size; The framed-in opening, slightly larger than the actual window/door, that replaces wall studs to support the structure and accommodate a window/door.) in the wall. Ensure that the door is level and plumbVertical; Upright. and that the gap between the door and frame is even all the way around. Then fix it in place by nailing through the trim into the wall.

From inside the room, nailA short nail with a large flat head used for securing roofing felt, plasterboard, sheet metal to wood etc. the door frame side jambs to the wall rough opening frame.
Because the rough opening will be (or should be) slightly bigger than the door frame, packing pieces will need to be placed between the jambThe frame in which a door or window sits. The top and two sides of a door or window frame that contact the door or sash. A vertical member at the side of a window frame, or the horizontal member at the top of the window frame, as in head jamb. and the wall frame where nailing occurs.

Usually the door frame is of an exact width so that the inside of the window frame will be flushBeing even with. with the inside of the wall allowing for a molding, architrave or casingThe trim around a window or door. to go neatly around the frame.
However……
in this case the door frame is wider than the wall and therefore projects in to the room.
Finish by fixing a 25mm x 25mm (1×1) square beadBeading. Thin line of sealant. (piece of woodTimber, lumber. The hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees) around the perimeter of the door frame to the wall.

Fit hardware of choice: in this case we’ve used D handles and a roller catch so the door can always be easily pushed open

Safety tip: Prevent jammed fingers

How to help prevent little fingers from being jammed by a door

This particular door is likely to be more of a risk to little fingers than a normal house door because it is a lot narrower than a normal door making it easier for a child to reach the hinge side of the door, and also because the door is a playhouse door, it is always going to be surrounded by kids. Big kids should not be of concern, it is more for the little kids, crawlers and toddlers that may need a bit of “finger protection”.

How to help prevent fingers from being jammed in a door.

1). The most likely hazard area

The most likely area of a door to be of concern to a small child’s fingers is the hinge side of the door.
That is because only a little bit of force is needed to push the door shut but at the same time the hinge edge of the door closing in to the door jamb is of a far greater force. It is all to do with leverages, and even a moderate wind strong enough to move a door may cause injury to the unsuspecting toddler’s fingers that might be between the door hinge and jamb.

Possible solution? Cover the area of concern.

2.) Cover the area
2a.) Open the door wide out as far as it will go.
In this case we have put a postsee PILE in the ground to stopThe part of the plywood wall panels that overlaps the door and window frame, and protrudes into the door or window area and covers any gaps between the door/window and the surrounding frame. It acts as a stop for the door and also stops the rain getting in. the door from opening much more than at right angles (90 degrees) to the door way.
spacer

2b.) Cut a panelA sheet that forms a distinct flat and rectangular section or component. A transparent panel used to fill a framed section of a window. to cover the hinged edge of the door and the rebate in the adjacent jamb.
The panel can be a rigid plastic type material or wood about 4mm (3/16″) thick. The panel must be durable.
Make the panel wide enough to cover (run slightly past) the edge of the door and also to cover most of the jamb. You will be able to get a perspective by looking at the photos.
Make the panel high enough to sit between the door frame head and sillFraming member that forms the bottom edge of the window opening.

2c.) Fix three hinges to the panel, one at the top, one at the bottom and one in the middle.
Use bolts and nuts to secure the hinges to the panel (will require drilling boltA metal rod that has a head on one end and threads on the other and is used to fasten together lumber. The most common bolts used or referred to in projects within this website are coach/carriage bolts and hex bolts. holes in the panel) as the panel is not thick enough to support screws.
Hold the panel in place and screw the free sides of the hinges to the jamb.

3.) Attach flexible wire
Use stretch curtain wire or similar to hold the panel against the door when the door is open. Stretch curtain wire can be obtained from just about any drapery store and eyes (screws with circular heads) can easily be screwed into the ends of the stretch curtain wire.

Cut three pieces at a length to hold the panel tight to the door when the door is opened and also long enough so as not to be in the way of the panel when the door is shut.
Screw the three pieces of stretch curtain wire in place as shown in the photos. There will be one piece at the top, one at the bottom and one in the middle.
Screw through the eyes of the screws in the curtain wire into the door and jamb.
Depending on the size of the screw head, washers may be required.

When the door shuts, the panel hinges will allow the panel to move with the door.

When the door is in the closed position, the stretch curtain wire will sag.

When the door opens, The stretch curtain wire will pull taut thus guiding the panel around and against the door.

This complete plan-set can also be purchased in downloadable PDF format free of advertising and print friendly for only $5. To purchase click here