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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Construction Manual © 2007 –2008 Little Cottage Co. Page 1
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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.