Thread: Cubby House – How should I make the raised platform?

get S/H pallets drill holes in bearers and bolt together to make size required. I did this 10 years ago for grandkids, its just been sold to another family generation.
yes may have to hunt around for solid pallets, but there are so many places wanting to get rid of them.

Ideal ones are CHEP but move only under cover of darkness and repaint them very quickly

I do not think 4 poles would be sufficient... given the spans, I think you want 6 stumps at least to give you a bearer at each end and one in the middle.

The pre-existing 45x70's should work OK as joists sitting on top of the bearers, although HW would be better. (i think they're pine from the pic?)

Joist hangers wouldn't be the best choice for this, although I would recommend pairs of joist ties at each bearer/joist intersect instead of just stagger nailing.

To finish, I'd simply run wide barge boards around to cover the side/ends of the bearer/joists.

If you're hoping to raise this on 4 posts you've got a lot of sub-floor framing to do. The spacing of the existing joists is only just ok and because of the 70mm depth you might not get away with 3 bearers. You would then need to support the bearers on, say, 200 x 50 supports to bolt to the posts. Unless you're sinking the posts a long way in to the ground you'll probably need some bracing.

Forget pallets, especially any standard size 1200 x 1200 ones. If you are prepared to raise it on 6 posts things would be easier.

Thanks for the advice guys. Greatly appreciated!

Ill increase it to 6 support posts. Yes all the current wood is pine. Would the below plan work?
6 posts with 3 bearers shortways accross (170cm) with the joists longways (1610cm) sitting on top.
- What is the best way to mount the bearers to the posts? Should the posts be notched to receive the bearers and bolted?
- I will use joist ties. Should i also be using coach screws to fix joists to bearers? Would prefer to go overboard.
- Should i increase the current four joists to seven? This only adds $40 to the build.

Joist Straps - Pryda 162mm Joist Strap
Pryda 162mm Joist Strap | Bunnings Warehouse

6 x Posts - 100 x 100mm 2.4m F7 H4 Treated Pine Post
Our Range | The Widest Range of Tools, Lighting & Gardening Products

3 x bearers -Treated Pine Outdoor Timber Framing 140 x 45mm
Treated Pine Outdoor Timber Framing 140 x 45mm | Bunnings Warehouse

3 x additional joists (increase from four to seven) - Treated Pine Outdoor Timber Framing70 x 45mm
Treated Pine Outdoor Timber Framing 70 x 45mm | Bunnings Warehouse

That plan would work.

Notching and bolting the bearers would be a good idea.

Personally I'd replace the joists with 90x45's but adding an extra 3x 70x45's instead should also do the trick... while also being cheaper.

How high do you want to make the poles? They may need diagonal bracing if you go more than knee high.

To replace with 90x45's id have to remove the panel of MDF and the decking which will cause issues with rusted galv nail heads breaking off. Will increasing it to 6 x additional 70x45's do the trick?

I want to raise the cubby house 1.2 meters to enable a slide to be attached. Posts will be cemented into the ground. Cubby house will have a sand pit underneath.

What bracing is recommended? 45 degree corner braces from the posts to the bearers as pictured?

Corner Bracing.GIF

Just adding the 3 extra 70x45's would be enough.

The advantage behind using 90mm 'tall' instead is it would reduce the "springiness" of the floor. Important in a house, not so vital for a cubby.

Braces as pictured should be sufficient. I like metal strapping but I'll admit that's more for the ease of installation rather than it's appearance; it's not the most picturesque look.