Little Cottage Firehouse User manual

Little Cottage Co.
PO Box 455
Berlin, OH 44610
330-893-4212
www.cottagekits.com
© 2007-2008 Little Cottage Co.
Firehouse Manual
®
Tools Needed:
-Cordless Drill (12V or higher)
-#2 Square Drive Bit
-Hammer
-6’ Step Ladder
-Tape Measure
-Square utility knife
w/ blade & hook blade
-Speed Square

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Thank You For purchasing from Little Cottage
Co. Please note: the following pictures are from
the construction of an 8x8, 8x10 and 8x12 units
may vary slightly. Lay (2) 4x4 ooring sections
side by side. Make sure it it on a level area.
Make sure the plywood is even before fasten-
ing! If it is not you will have an uneven oor,
and it could cause problems later.
Screw the sections together. Put two screws
in from each side for a total of 4 screws, one
towards the plywood and one towards the top.
Repeat this roughly every 8” to 10” apart.
Continue to add sections until you have the size
you need. 8x8, 8x10, or 8x12.
Continue to make sure the plywood is even
at the bottom. The 2x4 may vary in width at
times.
continue with the oor assembly.

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This shows the optional 4x4 runners, you will need to have
3 in order to have 1 under the center joint. if you use 2 the
oor will sag. Note: These are optional, but it will aid in
moving the building later. If you are adding a Deck & Rail
you MUST add these! Other wise the small door will not
clear the deck.
Turn the oor around so that the plywood faces up.
Make certain that the ground is level where the oor
sets or you may have problems with panels or roof.
You will need several to do this, do this with caution.
Do not stand under the oor.
Install section A. Then install section B. And
in the case of an 8x10, 8x12 install section 2B.
Repeat on the other side. And again if it is a larger
size you will have section 2C to assemble.
Keep the edge even with the oor.
Push in sections against oor before fastening. Fasten sections in place and repeat on the other
side.

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Install panel E. Keep the top walls level and
push in the bottom. Continue with panel E until it is secure.
Next install panel F. When installing panel F measure the distance
between the 2x3’s. Make sure this measure-
ment is 34”. If it is NOT 34”, adjust the panels
until it is. Otherwise, there will be problems
when installing the adult door.
Next fasten panels G and H together. Note: keep
the edge even. This will be the top of the door so
this is very important. The trim should got to teh
bottom as can be seen in the picture.
You can keep both the top and bottom even.

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Fasten the top together. Fasten the trim once panels G and H are to-
gether.
Put these on top of panels E and F. Keep the edge of the door frame even and push
in the trim against the siding. Fasten.
Repeat this on the other side. Continue until secure.

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Install (3) 2’x3’x36” pieces over top of the door
and sides of joints. This will provide strength
for the door. Keep even with the edge of the
door.
Install 4 screws as shown over joints.
Next Install panel I. Keep the top wall level
and push in at the bottom. Pull in and fasten by the door.
Install panel J. Measure between the door fom 2x3 to 2x3. The
measurement should be 40”. If it is different adjust
until it is. You may have to loosen the outside
walls and move the slightly. (variation in wood
widths)

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Next install panel K which is a small block. Again keep the top level and fasten.
Keep the wall level and fasten trim on the
outside.
Fasten panels L and M to each other. Make
sure they are even on the bottom. Piece may
bow slightly
Fasten on the top. Fasten the trim together.

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Install these on top of panels I, J, K. Make sure
that it is correctly aligned before fastening.
You can align this by measuring 5.5 inches
from the edge to the inside of 2x3. Tip: You
can also check the other wall to see how it is
aligned.
Push in the center before fastening. This will take
out the bow.
Fasten the panel. Note where the panel is
positioned.
Install the 2’x3’36” brace over joints. If you
are installing a loft you will have to take this
off. The loft will then provide support.
This shows an upside down look at how the
trim will t together. Do this to match the x’s
and o’s. Do not fasten them like this.

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Install one side of 2x6 with attached trim. Be
sure to use correct pieces.
Install the other side of 2x6 with trim. In the
case of an 8x10 and 8x12 there will be an ad-
ditional piece to install.
Install the last piece of trim. Make sure the inside is even.
Fasten small blocks on bottom of 2x6. This
will provide strength.
Put truss angles together. Note: You will have
to match the correct angles that match the truss
scabs. Do not use the rear truss ( it is shorter).

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Fasten truss gussets, keep top even. Install one gus-
set on either side of the truss. Make sure the gusset
does not stick out past the truss, or roong will not
t.
Install trusses in premarked spot. Note: trusses
only come to the edge of the 2x6. You may have to
pull them to the correct position. This is from not
fastening the gussets correctly or from bowing wall
or other factors.
This shows an 8x8. An 8x10 and 8x12 will
have extra trusses. The trusses are positioned
every 2’ on center (or to the middle).
Install the rst sheet of OSB sheeting. It will
start at the edge of the endwall truss. There will
be a 1/2” gap between OSB and 2x2.
Fasten at the top with the same measurement.
Fasten onto the truss. Remember it will only
come to the center of the truss. This will allow
room for the next sheet of OSB. You may have to
move the truss from side to side

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Install the next sheet of OSB. Continue OSB installation.
Install the top pieces of OSB. Repeat on the other side.
Install the dripedge, which can be purchased at your
home improvement store. You can then use tin snips or
sidecuts to cut the dripedge so it ts over the angles of
the roof. Fasten with 3/4” roong nails.
Continue drip edge installation.

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Drip edge installtion continued. Read your shingle pack for installation instructions.
You can use a utility knife to cut these both with a
striaght blade and a hook blade. Cut tabs off of the
shingles and install a starter strip. Notice the glue
strips toward the bottom. Fasten with 3/4” roong
nails.
Continue installing shingles in a staggered
fashion.
Keep installing shingles all the way to the top.
You will need to cut some tabs to this shape, to
be used for the ridge cap.
Install the ridge cap on the top as shown. Use
7/8” roong nails to fasten these.

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Finish with a shingle tab as shown. Install small pieces of siding beneath the re
engine door. Keep even with the oor.
Place the space bar by the edge. Install left door using spacer bar to provide
the correct spacing. And install door stops as
shown.
Close the door and mark around the door stops
top and bottom.
Use 5/16 bit to drill holes for the door stops to
slide into.

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Install right door and door turner. Install 3 door pulls (two outside and one inside
on the right hand door).
Install shutters and other pieces around window
as shown.
Install the “Firehouse USA” and “Engine #1”
sign and the bell.
Install the corner trim using small white nails. Be
careful to not “wrinkle” the corners when installing.
Tip: do one side while pressing in, than do the other
side.
Make sure you have installed the small piece
of siding under door. Place spacer bar by edge,
fasten with the screw (temporarily).

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Install the bottom part of the door. Install the top piece of the door trim.
Install the top of the door, centering it between
the top door trim and the bottom half of the
door. Install latch.
Your Firehouse is complete!