HomePlace Backyard Cottage User manual

Backyard Cottage
Assembly Manual
© HomePlace Structures
Shown with optional porch & railing and cus-
tomer supplied shingles
HomePlace Structures
Phone: [phone]
Hours: 9-5 Monday-Friday EST
www.HomePlaceStructures.com
Kit ships as shown Rev 7/17/06

Backyard Cottage Assembly
Manual
© HomePlace Structures
Thank you for purchasing this Backyard Cottage kit. The craftsmanship and detail in this playhouse are
unmatched. We are proud to bring you this unit made by our Amish friends and neighbors.
This manual is designed to simplify the assembly process, however we strongly recommend having an
experienced carpenter involved in the project. Please read through the entire manual before start-
ing!!
It took 2 workers 4 hours to assemble this playhouse, using the tools shown in the pictures. However,
it will probably take you a little longer since it will be a new project for you. While air tools were used to
assemble much of the unit in this manual, the unit can also be assembled with screws or hand nails.
Take a deep breath and get at it, the satisfaction and enjoyment of this playhouse is only a few hours
away. Have Fun!!!!!
Remember, it is very important that you have a level site for your playhouse, and that the play-
house floor is perfectly level prior to assembling the playhouse.
Note: The playhouse depicted in this manual may show options not included in your unit.
TOOLS NEEDED:
Tape Measure
2 small paint brushes
4' straight edge
Hammer
Tin Scissors
Utility Knife with hook blade
Two Stepladders and 1 plank
Screw gun
Level
Recommended Fasteners:
Galvanized 1-1/2” Nails or Screws
Galvanized 2-1/2” Nails or Screws
5/8” Roof Nails (for shingles)
1-12” Galvanized Trim Nails
Note: Air powered tools and fasteners can be used for most applications. Proper nails and staples must
be used.

Unpack Playhouse
Step 1: Kit should look like this
when arriving at your property.
Inspect package for damage.
Please call 717.354.3777 to
report any damages.
Step 2: Cut shrink wrap and unwrap kit.
page 3
© HomePlace Structures
Step 3: Cut off packaging bands and remove one section at a time by backing out screws used for
packaging. Carry sections to site where unit will be built.
Note: Use caution when unpacking kit, keep sections from falling after screws are removed. Do
not throw away bottom of skid, this is the large floor section.

Wall & Floor Assembly
page 4
Step 7: Set back wall panel as shown, aligning ends of wall flush
with ends of floor.
Note: Make sure wall panel is plumb up and down.
Step 7: Set first side wall repeating previous steps.
Note: Side walls are interchangeable, make sure to
place side door panel where desired.
Step 8: Fasten side wall into back wall using
2-1/2” fasteners as shown.
Note: Make sure wall panel is plumb up
and down.
© HomePlace Structures
Step 8: Fasten wall to floor
as shown using 2-1/2” nails
or screws. Fasteners should
be spaced approximately 12”
apart.
Step 5:Set floor on leveled
site. If needed, level site
with a bed of crushed stone
or gravel. It is very impor-
tant for site to be level.
Step 4: Assemble floor sections by aligning marks on floor, and mak-
ing sure floor edges are precisely flush. Fasten sections together using
heavy duty 3” screws spaced 12” apart.

Step 9: Push walls tightly together, nail corners and along bottom of siding around perimeter of build-
ing, using, 1¾" galvanized nails as shown.
Note: Keep nails within 1-1/2” of edges of corners so nail heads are covered by corner trim
Roof Assembly
Step 10: Install gable end rafters (end rafters have only one rafter gusset) keeping rafter gusset
towards inside of playhouse. Align edge of rafter flush with edge of top wall plate and fasten using 2-
1/2” fasteners.
Step 11: Align inside of rafter flush with marks, keep point even with the outside edge of 2x6 top plate.
Using 3" nails, toenail rafter into the top of side wall. After nailing front side, repeat on back wall.
Step 12: Caulk end gables as shown using clear silicone caulk and install end gable siding sections as
shown. Note: Align siding grooves .

page 6
Step 14:Fasten edge of OSB to
end rafter as shown.
Step 15: Space rafters 2’ apart
and fasten OSB to rafters using
2” fasteners spaced 12” apart.
© HomePlace Structures
Step 13: Install large OSB roof section and fasten to rafters along bottom as shown.
Optional door kick removal: It is recommended
to remove door kick from side and front doors (this
should be completed after roof is set).
Step 18: Remove
screw from door
as shown.
Step 16: Install ripped OSB
section and fasten to rafters
repeating previous steps.
Repeat steps 13-16 on back
roof section.
Step 17: Paint playhouse
and trim desired colors,
with paint purchased sep-
arately.

page 7
Step 20: Align gable end rafters with end of wall plate and top of OSB roof sheeting, as shown, and fas-
ten to building using 2-1/2” screws or nails.
Trim, Shutters, & Flower Box Installation
Step 21: Gable end rafters
complete, repeat steps on
opposite gable end.
Step 22: Install fascia trim aligning flush at both ends with end raf-
ters and against bottom of roof sheathing. Fasten with 1-1/2” galva-
nized trim nails.
© HomePlace Structures
Step 19: Install window shutters, top window trim, and flower boxes as shown.

page 8
Step 24 Continued
Step 26: Aligns back gable trim piece and fasten to building using 1-
1/2” trim nails as shown. Repeat on opposite gable end.
© HomePlace Structures
Step 23: Front fascia trim com-
plete, repeat steps on back wall.
Step 24: Align gable trim as shown and fasten to building using 1-
1/2” trim nails.
Step 25: Install top door trim before installing back gable trim and
fasten to building using 1-1/2” trim nails.
Step 27: Caulk above top door
trim piece using clear silicone
sealer as shown.

Step 29: Install shingles on roof following instructions from shingle manufacturer.
Note: If your unit includes the optional porch, only install first three rows of shingles on front
side of playhouse.
Note: If your unit includes
the optional porch, only
install first three rows of
shingles on front side of
playhouse.
Step 28: Install corner trim pieces as shown and fasten using 1-1/2” trim nails.
Note: Corner trim pieces are each cut to fit at one specific corner. If pieces don’t fit, make sure
you have the correct corner trim piece.
page 9
© HomePlace Structures

Step 32: Install door stop as shown, centering brackets on door and door header.
Note: Keep bracket on door down at least 1-1/2” to prevent bracket from hitting door header.
Step 30: Install door handle for large door as shown.
Note: When installing inside of door handle, keep interior and exte-
rior handles vertically aligned as shown.
Step 31: Fasten decorative small
door handle to child’s door as
shown.

See step 5 on following page
Step 1: Remove two porch floor boards that are not nailed tight and
carry floor section to front of building.
Step 3: Secure porch floor to
playhouse using 2-1/2” nails or
screws as shown.
Optional Porch Installation
Step 2: Slide back of porch
under door trim and center on
building. The front of the floor
has an extended lip.
Step 4: Replace remaining floor boards and fasten with nails or
screws as shown.
page 11
© HomePlace Structures

Step 5: Align side railing piece, square to building. Set corner posts at corner as shown and fasten using
1-1/2” galvanized nails or screws.
Note: Railing sections are interchangeable.
Step 6: Properly align front posts and attach to railing and porch floor as shown. Repeat on opposite
side of porch.
Step 7: Align porch roof end rafter and siding sections and fasten to roof section as shown.
page 12
© HomePlace Structures

Step 14: Set roof on porch posts, align with playhouse roof and fasten to playhouse using 2-1/2” nails or
screws.
Note: Nails/screws should be fastened to rafters in roof.
page 13
© HomePlace Structures

Assembly of Optional Dormers
Assemble dormer by fitting pieces together and fastening with galvanized staples or nails as shown.
page 14
© HomePlace Structures

Shingle porch roof above bottom of dormers and then align dormers where desired, as shown.
Fasten dormers to roof using
roof nails or staples.
Finish shingling house and dormers following instructions from
shingle manufacturer.

Align right side loft support piece at same height as left support
piece, level, and fasten into wall studs using 2-1/2” nails or screws.
© HomePlace Structures
Optional Loft Installation
Place loft onto support pieces and fasten using 2-1/2” nails or
screws. Install loft railing as shown.
Install left side loft support piece 9” down from top of wall (this is
48” from floor), level, and fasten into wall studs using 2-1/2” nails
or screws.
page 16

Previous step continued.
Align loft ladder with opening and fasten to loft using 2-1/2” screws
or nails.
Fasten loft to floor as shown.