Roofing Materials

We visited my older sister (and my brother-in-law and neice) in Ottawa one weekend during our last two weeks at the cottage, and I was able to return with a couple of hundred square feet of salvaged steel roofing that was removed from their farmhouse when they had the original house re-roofed during the construction of a new addition. It made absolute sense to strip off the fifty odd year old roof, as the new steel roofs are far superior in terms of design, appearance, and durability.

This is the whole lot, about 20 mostly full sheets, which will be used to roof the treehouse later this fall before the snow starts falling (hopefully). My goal is to have the rafters and strapping in place next week, and the roof installed the week after that.

Some Bad News

Scratch the idea of using the reclaimed maple hardwood for the finish floors of the treehouse, as storing them outdoors under a tarp let them get wet and sodden... About one quarter of the entire lot is salvageable, which is probably not enough for the 70 square foot required. Lesson learned, and off to plan B, which is probably 1" x 10" shed pine laid over the OSB, or something similar.

Materials - Sub Flooring

From the main beams and floor joists upwards, the bulk of the building materials used in the treehouse will be either recycled or reclaimed material. The floor where the building of the treehouse is to be situated will be 7/16 OSB sub floor, with reclaimed tongue and groove maple hardwood on top. The OSB is offcuts and scrap roofing material, from the local subdivision. The easiest way to get as much scrap building materials as you want is make friends with the framing crew supervisor, bring the gang four Tim Horton's coffee one morning, and they will give you run of the scrap bin! That's how I do it at least.