Backyard Cottage Assembly Manual Shown with optional porch & railing and customer supplied shingles Suncast - HomePlace Division Phone: 866.768.8564 toll-free Hours: 9-5 Monday-Friday EST www.HomePlaceStructures.
Backyard Cottage Assembly Manual 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.
Unpack Playhouse Step 1: Kit will resemble this when arriving at your property. Inspect package for damage. Please call 866.768.8465 to report any damages. Step 2: Cut shrink wrap and unwrap kit. 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 Step 4: Assemble floor sections by aligning marks on floor, and making sure floor edges are precisely flush. Fasten sections together using heavy duty 3” screws spaced 12” apart. 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 9: Push walls tightly together, nail corners and along bottom of siding around perimeter of building, 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 21/2” fasteners.
Step 13: Install large OSB roof section and fasten to rafters along bottom as shown. 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. 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 16: Install ripped OSB section and fasten to rafters repeating previous steps. Repeat steps 13-16 on back roof section.
Trim, Shutters, & Flower Box Installation Step 19: Install window shutters, top window trim, and flower boxes as shown. Step 20: Align gable end rafters with end of wall plate and top of OSB roof sheeting, as shown, and fasten to building using 2-1/2” screws or nails. Step 21: Gable end rafters complete, repeat steps on opposite gable end. Step 22: Install fascia trim aligning flush at both ends with end rafters and against bottom of roof sheathing. Fasten with 1-1/2” galvanized trim nails.
Step 23: Front fascia trim complete, repeat steps on back wall. Step 24: Align gable trim as shown and fasten to building using 11/2” trim nails. Step 24 Continued Step 25: Install top door trim before installing back gable trim and fasten to building using 1-1/2” trim nails. Step 26: Aligns back gable trim piece and fasten to building using 11/2” trim nails as shown. Repeat on opposite gable end. © Suncast Corporation Step 27: Caulk above top door trim piece using clear silicone sealer as shown.
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. Note: If your unit includes the optional porch, only install first three rows of shingles on front side of playhouse. Step 29: Install shingles on roof following instructions from shingle manufacturer.
Step 30: Install door handle for large door as shown. Note: When installing inside of door handle, keep interior and exterior handles vertically aligned as shown. Step 31: Fasten decorative small door handle to child’s door as shown. 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.
Optional Porch Installation - skip this section if your unit doesn't have a porch - 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. 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.
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.
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.
Assembly of Optional Dormers Assemble dormer by fitting pieces together and fastening with galvanized staples or nails as shown.
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.
