By Daniela Sperotto
Shortly after Wendy’s arrival in Never Neverland, she injures herself and the lost boys and Peter build a small wooden house around her where she had fallen – thus the “Wendy house” was born. Barrie himself built one of the first wendy houses for the play in 1904 and since then its uses and popularity have grown.
There are a plethora of wendy house options in South Africa with an endless variety of uses, such as the more common playhouse, tool shed and dog kennel to a security hut, a gym, or even an office. They are as versatile and handy as an extra room in the house.
Yet for most, just the word “wendy house” conjures up images of a fun playhouse for children. Your children will spend time in the wonderful outdoors and have endless hours of imaginative fun. There are a few precautions to take into consideration before erecting your wendy house, advises J M Carsten, from J.C. Wendy Houses, who suggests “getting permission from your municipality and neighbour for location before erection”. It is quite common, depending on the size of the structure, for it to be considered as another building.
Small to medium sizes are the most common for sheds and playhouses. J M Carstens recommends putting in a concrete floor to help stabilise the building. When in doubt about the size or which type of house to go with, just ask a professional before you buy ? there are many elements to take into consideration that you may not have thought of.
Clinton Johns, from Duroplastic, explains that although traditionally made out of pinewood, wendy houses can also be made out of be steel, wood or fibre cement. No matter the material, you can decorate your house as you wish, but maintenance and treating wooden structures is key to helping the wood withstand the elements and insects. With an array of accessories available, such as shelving, ceiling and bathroom facilities, you can get everything you need for you or your children to make every hour spent in the wendy house a fun one.
