Little Cottage Small Cape Cod User manual

Small Cape Cod Manual
Little Cottage Co.
PO Box 455
Berlin, OH 44610
330-893-4212
© 2007–2008 Little Cottage Co.
Tools Needed:
-Cordless Drill (12v or higher)
-#2 Square drive bit
-Hammer
-6’ Step Ladder
-Tape Measure
-Square utility knife with blade & hook blade
-Speed Square

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To begin construction of your Cape Cod
playhouse simply lay out (2) 4x4 ooring
sections side by side. Make sure it is on a
level area.
Make sure the plywood is even before
fastening. If it is not, you will have an
uneven oor.
Screw the sections together. Put one screw
towards the plywood, and the other toward
the top. Put 4 screws on each side roughly
8”-10” apart
Next add additional sections. Note: 8x8
oor will be larger.
Again, make sure the plywood is even or
you will have an uneven oor.
Fasten these in the same manner. Space
screws in sets of (2) 8” - 10” apart.

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This pictures shows the optional 4x4 runner, you will need
3 in order to have 1 under the joint. If you use only 2 the
oor will sag. Note: these aid in moving the building later,
but are optional, unless you are adding the deck & rail, then
you must add them or the child door will not clear the deck.
Turn the oor on the back with the ply-
wood facing up. Make certain that the
ground is level where the oor sets or you
may have problems with the panels or the
roof.
Install section A BE SURE to install the trim toward the
center as shown! This is the trim for the small door. This
is the start for a 6x8 other sizes are slightly different. The
same basic structure is used. Refer to the wall layout
documents for the alphabetical order.
Make sure your panel is ush with the edge
of the oor. This is something that you
will need to check throughout the assembly
process.
Push the wall in as shown so the siding
is against the oor. This is again some-
thing to do throughout the entire assembly
process.
Install header block B

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Now make sure it is even on top. Fasten
the trim on the header block B into the
siding.
Install panel C. Fasten this onto the header
block as shown.
Be sure to measure from 2x3 to 2x3 that
the opening is 20”. Do not measure in
between the door stop. If it is not you may
need to adjust it one way or the other.
Fasten the other side of the header block B
to panel C.
Install panel D. Panel E’s edge will t over
the edge of panel D.
Install this panel. You can fasten the entire
building like this roughly every 10”- 14”
with 2 1/2” screws.

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Install panel E. Be sure to keep them
even as shown. Fasten all joints like this
roughly every 8”-10” with 2 1/2” screws.
Install panel F. Again keep square and
level.
Fasten corner like this. Install panel G. Fasten in corner and bot-
toms as shown before.
Assemble panels H and I. Make sure they
are even on the bottom . Fasten.
Fasten the top of the trusses as shown.
This draws them tight together.

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Press together trim as shown and
fasten. The trim is not fastened to allow
for adjustments.
Install this assembled gable top.
Measure in 5 1/2” from the outside as
shown. Be sure to pull in against siding
and fasten as shown.
Have someone press in from the outside as
shown.
While someone presses in on the outside
fasten on the inside. Put 2 1/2” screws
on either side of the splices to provide
strength.
Install panel J.

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Install panel K. Measure in between these
two panels. From 2x3 to 2x3 it should
measure 34”.
Fasten panels L & M together. Note to
keep the bottom edge even. This will be
the top of the door so it is very important.
Install this gable top. Make sure that the edges by the door side
are even. Fasten once it is even.
Fasten other side in the same fashion. Install (3) 2x3x36” pieces over the top of
the door and sides over joints. This will
provide strength for the door. Keep even
with the edge of the door.

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Install screws as shown over joints. This
provides strength for joints.
Install 2x6 with trim, match sets of three
with numbers on the pieces. For other size
buildings refer to layout page for layout
and number of pieces.
Keep even on the inside as shown and
fasten.
Install other side.
Next install the center piece. Note: speed square, keep these edges even.
Fasten, be sure to use enough screws.

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Fasten as shown right by joints. Fasten the 1x3 to the center section using
black screws. This will straighten the 2x6
and make it strong.
Lay trusses as shown. On the 4x6 and 6x8 sizes, the
trusses are the same angle. On the larger sizes (8x8,
8x10, and 8x12) the angles are different on one end.
Make sure the correct angles are matching. You can
check this with the gusset angles.
Keep the top of the truss even and install 2
1/2” screws as shown.
Fasten the truss gussets, keep the top even.
Use black headed screws for this. Install
one gusset on either side of the truss. For a
total of 2 per truss.
Flip the truss and install gusset on other
side.

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Install truss as shown. Truss should t as shown. Make sure truss
does not go past the edge of the 2x6 onto
the trim.
Install rst sheet of OSB (orient strand
board) sheeting. Fasten only on the bottom
rst. Refer to layout diagram for your spe-
cic building. Use black-headed screws to
fasten.
Fasten the top onto the gable side.
Note gap between OSB and 2x2 with trim.
Be sure you have this before fastening on
top.
Continue installing sheeting around the
building.

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Install top pieces of sheeting. Repeat these steps on the other side.
Install drip edge all around the edge of
building as shown.
Now you are ready to begin shingles. Re-
fer to your shingle package for additional
shingle instructions.
You will want to install shingles in a
staggered fashion.
When you have done both sides, cut caps
for the peak of the roof. To cut “caps” cut
the tabs. For Example: If there are 3 tabs
per shingle there will be 3 “caps”, just con-
tinue to cut the line through the shingle.

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Install the caps as shown. When you reach
the end you can use only the exposed part
of the shingle to give it a nice nish. For
Example: The cap would then be cut in
half for this.
Check the layout diagram for correct measurements for
your size building. Measure from the edge of the building
to edge of the treated dormer frame. There is a cut angle
right where the ngers and tape are in the picture. Make
sure this angle is turned up and not down toward the roof.
Measure from the bottom up, the edge of
the roof to the base of the dormer frame.
Make a small pencil or chalk mark once
you have positioned the base.
Once you have the correct position apply
caulk to the bottom of the base. Make sure
it is the bottom!
Screw the bas into the roof. You can use 2
1/2” screws. Be sure to check on the inside
and break off the screw that is exposed.
Make sure the frame is square.

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Once the frame is fastened on the outside
you can break screws poking through the
roof. You can also fasten the frame from
the inside out.
This shows the dormer parts, except for
the Plexiglas window. Frame is already
installed at this point.
Slide the pieces together as shown. Use 2
1/2” screws to fasten together.
Flip to other side and fasten together.
Fasten small truss as shown. Fasten one side of OSB to trusses.

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Fasten other side to trusses. Install grid window.
Install pre drilled dormer grid window
trim.
Install dormer to treated base. Dormer
shown does not have the trim or window
in.
Use your speed square to make sure the
dormer is square to the building. If it is not
squared correctly it can look different.
Fasten the dormer onto the base.

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Fasten sides. Fasten the sheeting to the base.
Install a starter shingle strip Cut the excess past the dormer. Be sure to
use a hook blade so you do not cut into the
other roof shingles.
Install the next row of shingles. Once the last row is installed measure
4 1/4” from the top down and snap a chalk
line. This ensures a straight line for the
cap.

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Cut the caps for the dormer roof. Start by installing a starter cap.
Continue installing the cap. When you get to the back, trim to conform
to the roof line.
Install a siding piece below the child door
and the adult door. Be sure to keep level
with the oor.
Place the provided spacer bar by edge.

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Place the door on the spacer bar. Fasten
using only one screw per hinge. This way
if adjustments are needed you will not have
to undo all the screws. Use black head
screw for these.
Next install the top door piece. Try to cen-
ter the door between the header block and
the bottom door. If both doors work well,
install the rest of the screws and remove
spacer bar.
You will now begin to install 3 door pulls
(2 on the out side, and one on the inside at
the top). Install turner knob.
Install top door piece on the adult door.
Measure the doorway on the adult door,
34 inches. It should be very close to this
measurement in order for the adult door to
work.
Place the spacer bar by the adult door.
Again use only 1 black head screw per
hinge.

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Install top door piece and door latch. Once
everything is working install the rest of the
screws in the hinges. You can also make
the adult door 1 piece by fastening them
together if you prefer 1 solid door.
Install the shutters and ower box and
window trim.
Install the corner trim with small white
nails. Be careful to not “wrinkle the cor-
ners” when installing.
Your house is now ready to move into!!!
Please see additional manuals for , deck &
rail, chimney, or additional windows.

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Thank You for purchasing from Little Cottage Co.
We wish you many years of enjoyment!
Pictured playhouses are shown with additional options.