Post #747421 by nctrader on Sun, Jul 19, 2015 8:22 PM

As it is with a few of the structures on the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse at Walt Disney World (and the Tarzan attraction at Disneyland), our treehouse will feature a thatched pyramid hip roof, with four bamboo corner posts rising to a central lodgepole.

The attractions at the Parks utilize real bamboo in surprisingly many places, however, I suspect the structural work that matters is all welded metal frame or, possibly, a PVC product where lesser integrity will pass.

The treehouse we're constructing utilizes what I believe is Phyllostachys Nigra Hedon variety bamboo, which we have in a large grove at a friend's house. These are relatively straight-growing type that attain heights of 40 - 50' and diameters up to 5". The wall thickness is about schedule 40 - schedule 80, depending on the stalk.

For the corner posts, I selected the straightest poles I could find, with diameters of about 4" - 3" (accounting for taper over their length. Just like Disney's, these posts penetrate the decking to hang down about 16" underneath and protrude through the thatch roof about 16". When drilling holes, you really want to play in as close to the culms as you can, although this isn't always possible.

Structurally, figuring out how to accomplish this was tricky! As you can see from previous pictures, the 2 x 6" deck framing had 6 x 6" corner pockets added, to allow the corner posts to pass through the deck, but insuring that I could go back later and add carriage bolts, spacers, washers and nuts to further secure them in place.

I have found that doing the structural work is easier on green poles. They simply machine easier when they are loaded with moisture. I may live to regret it, but I have made allowances for contraction and expansion as they cure in-place in the construction.

Drilling is best accomplished with forstner bits. I'm using 3/8" zinc carriage bolts to make the corners to a series of diagonal braces between the pony wall studs. The total weight of the roof will be coming in at roughly 300lbs. dry, but I am working to utilize best practices for all the framing, whenever possible.

A corner post bolted in place. Will remove the deck board to route the pass-through later. My Porter Cable packed it in and replacing the brushes didn't remedy the problem. I think the stator is gone. :(

More detail on the roof construction to come!

The Swiss Family Treehouse is a hodge-podge of materials, because the Robinsons salvaged whatever they could from their ship that broke apart on the rocks of the island they were marooned on. So, with much of the structural work, which required real materials for safety, completed, we are now dumpster-diving and curb-cruising for the bits and pieces that will give the treehouse that "salvaged" look. The local Habitat for Humanity Restore warehouse had a great deal on vinyl shutters in forest green, which will do an admirable job of mimicking some of the ship captain's quarters wood paneling that you will see in the Parks version. We faced these toward our neighbor's houses. This one wall will be almost entirely solid, to afford them some privacy and to keep noise from the treehouse minimized.

Inside, we'll be using Amazulu's excellent woven bamboo plywood product to sheath the interior wall. It doesn't matter that it won't match the exterior material, as you'll never see them in context to one another. I'll have to sneak over the fenceline to grab a better picture of the results!

More to come...