Cubby Constuction - before I get started, some advice please

[JDub]

Gday all,

The next comminisioned product from SWMBO is a cubby house for my two year old daughters birthday in early Feb.... I have been collecting and wading through the local classifieds giveaways for some odds and ends to make the project a little lighter on the pocket and have so far picked up the following:
- heaps 10mm floating floor (posh cubby hey!)
- Plenty of second hand framing pine (90x35) for the walls and roof frames
- Colorbond sheeting for the roof (left over from my shed build)

At this stage the main stucture of the cubby will be 1800x3000x1800(wall height) internal with an additional small deck/veranda out the front..

For the main structure I have a few questions:

1a) I am using TP for the floor framing following standard decking tables for dimensions etc, is it ok to use standard 10mm chipboard for the floor(can get it cheap) and the floating floor on top of that for the flooring? It will sit approx 250 off the ground...
1b)How far into the ground do I need to cement the posts that will support the floor frame etc.?.... was hoping to avoid going down to 600
Or should I just build the frame and sit it atop some pavers?

2) As I said pine wall frames are sorted, cladding is the next issue, most cost effective? I was thinking TP fence pailings as an option?

3) Tips on what to build the entry Door and Window shutters from (avoiding glass but want something that will swing open and close?)

That will do for now, any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers

[Jacksin]

There are several types of cubbies advertised and some can be quite expensive, and others not so, however this may be an easier way to go.

This is merely my opinion however I would be wary of a structure you knocked up using odds & sods, should a friend or neighbours kiddie fall from same and then sued your pants off for poor design/safety issues etc.

Unfortunately litigation is becoming a way of life. I recently spoke with a couple of blokes erecting play equipment at a school who were overly fussy to the point of being ridiculous to cover their butts.

[MICKYG]

J Dub

Have a look under cubby house at this site and see the windows here. Made out of perspex or similiar and both halves slide in a routed groove and have been working well for a couple of years.

http://gallery.groov-e.com

Regards Mike

[Bleedin Thumb]

Hi Jdub, its been a while..hows the fish?

1. I don't recon the chipboard will last under the floating floor - no matter how waterproof you recon you have it..... go FRC sheeting which may work out more exy than straight decking..mmmmm maybe the floating floor isn't that cheap!

2. The depth of post into the ground isn't as important as say a retaining wall but it does anchor the ruddy thing down in a blow so if you go shallow go a wide footing.

3. cheapest cladding that will last and look OK...probably a ply but you have to seal it really well with solarguard or weathershield -minimum. I'd go epoxy paint but I'm anal.

4. Doors and windows, how about framed doors and shutter type windows again with the ply...use some primary colours and make it look like one of those funky beach- change houses you get in Victoria.

Resist going pink with fairies, unicorns and ponies,

[echnidna]

I wouldn't bother with stumps, I'd just sit on on skids, (a couple of 200x 50 sleepers)
Ordinary chipboard is unreliable for a floor, it'll takeup moisture & eventually disintegrate
If you use floor grade chipboard or ply paint the underside to retard moisture uptake
I'd use the tp palings fitted weatherboard style.
Windows like Mike's perspex windows or a frame with polycarbonate attached.

[rhancock]

I was thinking about using some sort of mesh for the windows rather than perspex, as I want it to have natural breezeways (no aircon in the house, so certainly not in the cubby! But mesh will probably mean it won't be fully weatherproof, unless I can find a pressed metal of some sort which will shed water. Ideally I want it see through too, as I don't like too much privacy for the little devils to get up to mischief unobserved!

[JDub]

Thanks for the feedback all, appreciated as always

Will probably go for a ply floor or similar.....

I am considering ply for the cladding as well but I do like the weatherboard type look.... Im surprised at the cost of plain old fibre cement weatherboards

Hi Jdub, its been a while..hows the fish?

Gday Bleedin, yer I started a new job so havnt been online as much lately and Ive been slaving away landscaping nearly every weekend.... My life currently consists of digging holes, planting, digging holes, mulching, paving, digging, looking after my daughter, working, eating, a beer every now and then and if I get time sleep......

Hopefully I will be around here a little more now.... Fish are doing great... Cheers