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The front wall of the Simple Playhouse series — a 2x2-framed stud wall skinned in 1/4" plywood with a working arched-top door and a window, all furring-strip cheap.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top plate | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 90" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Studs | 6 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 45" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Window top and bottom | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 29" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Bottom plate, long The bottom plate breaks at the door opening — no plate across a doorway. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 57 1/4" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Bottom plate, short | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 14 3/4" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Door header | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 18" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Window header stud | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 7 1/2" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Wall skin Door and window cut out to match the framed openings — save the door cutout. | 1 | 1/4" × 48" × 90" | 1/4" exterior plywood | ☐ |
| Top trim | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 90" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Bottom trim 57-1/4" and 14-3/4" — breaks at the door like the plate. | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 57 1/4" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Side trim | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 43" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Door trim, sides | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 36 1/2" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Door trim, top | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 21" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Window side trim | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 16 1/2" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Window top/bottom trim | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 32" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Door frame sides | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 33" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Door frame middle | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 13" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Door frame bottom | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 18" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Door frame header Gets the arch. No 1x4 scrap? Use a 1x3 and lengthen the door sides to 34". | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 18" | 1x4 scrap | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior plywood, 1/4", 4x8 sheet Wall skin — the door comes out of the door opening cutout. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x2 furring strip, 8 ft Wall framing. Cull the twisted ones ruthlessly. | 6 each | ☐ |
| 1x2 furring strip, 8 ft Window and door trim. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 1x3 furring strip, 8 ft Top/bottom trim and door frame. | 3 each | ☐ |
| Hinges Light gate or heavy cabinet hinges — the door weighs almost nothing. | 2 each | ☐ |
| Exterior screws, 2" Wall framing. | 30 each | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" | 100 each | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 1" Door skin to door frame. | 30 each | ☐ |
| Exterior wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
| Exterior paint The kids get a vote on color. You will lose the vote. | 1 qt | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Circular Saw, Drill / Driver, Jigsaw, Pencil, Speed Square. Materials: Exterior plywood, 1/4", 4x8 sheet, 2x2 furring strip, 8 ft, Exterior screws, 2", Brad nails, 1-1/4", Exterior wood glue
Frame the wall flat on the ground — plates, six studs, window box, door header — with 2" screws and glue, checking square by diagonals. Note the bottom plate breaks at the door opening; nobody trips over a threshold in a playhouse either.
Trace the window and door openings onto the plywood from the framed wall, and cut the DOOR opening carefully — that cutout is your door blank. Then glue and nail the skin to the framing with 1-1/4" brads.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x2 furring strip, 8 ft, 1x3 furring strip, 8 ft, Brad nails, 1-1/4", Exterior wood glue
Run the 1x3 top and bottom trim and 1x2 side, door, and window trim, keeping outside edges flush. Measure each piece against the wall you actually built rather than pre-cutting the list — furring-strip framing wanders a touch, and trim's whole job is covering that gracefully.
1-1/4" brads and glue throughout.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver, Hammer, Jigsaw, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Exterior plywood, 1/4", 4x8 sheet, 1x3 furring strip, 8 ft, Brad nails, 1", Exterior wood glue
Cut the arch into the door's 1x4 header piece with the jigsaw, then pocket-screw the door frame together — sides, middle rail, bottom, arched header. Glue and nail the saved plywood cutout to the back of the frame with 1" brads (hand-nail if your gun won't go that short). Do not skip the glue; the skin is the door's rigidity.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Hinges, Exterior paint
Hang the door on its hinges with an even gap, and check it swings free through the whole arc — kids will test it roughly a thousand times the first week.
Sand every edge and corner to kid-grade smooth, then paint. This wall joins the deck, back wall, gable ends, and roof from the rest of the Simple Playhouse series — build order: deck, walls, roof.