Heating a Treehouse

The Challenge

If you were to sit down and jot a list of the things you enjoy having in a relaxing space, would it all fit in a treehouse? If you are thinking probably not, think again! Two homeowners have created an ideal relaxation station among the trees on their 121-acre property in Pine Plains, New York. The couple was challenged to fit their must-have items like a heat source, soaking tub, and standing shower among the trees in a light, compact space.

The Solution

Construction on the tree house began a quarter-mile from the couple’s main home and ¾ of a mile from the property entrance in a quaint spot overlooking their 3-acre pond. This distance from the main home allowed them to run electric and plumbing to the tree house after upgrading their existing systems. In case of a power outage on the property, the tree house is well-equipped with a generator to provide the essentials even in the worst circumstances. What started as a platform in the trees supported by stilts has grown to include a full staircase, front porch, living space, and a soaking bath with a view! To keep the space compact and light the couple forfeited living space and went for a full-size bath and front porch. The front porch is the perfect place to take in the setting and weighs much less than framing out the entire platform. To address their heating needs for year-round use, the DCM-PRO Electric Underfloor Heating system was installed at a 2-3 peg rotation under ¾” tongue and groove native ash hardwood. Underfloor heating was an attractive option for this project because it was hidden out of sight for maximum design potential but the electrician on-site quickly found that not just any electric underfloor heating would work for this type of project. On the day of the installation the electrician, Jim, commented on the heat output from the Warmup product stating it was the, “only solution for this project” because of its ability to off-set the heat loss in the space. Jim also commented that the installation of the DCM-PRO peel-and-stick was much easier than any of the electric underfloor heating systems he had installed in the past. A win-win!

The Result

The results of this tree house project exceed our wildest expectations. A beautiful combination of luxury and classic treehouse collide among the trees overlooking a breathtaking view. This determined couple has shown us if you can dream it, you can build it! A smart thermostat in this space offers convenience year-round but mostly on cold winter nights when the family looks to warm up the space up before heading over to their new favorite hangout. We are proud to offer solutions to unique projects like the tree house. What once was a project associated with children, treehouse building has recently evolved to include guest suites, rental properties, and vacation homes.