How to Build a Tea House

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and what better way to savor it than within the tranquil confines of a Tea House. In Japan, where this ageless tradition began, a tea house is called chashitsu and is used mainly for tea ceremonies. Here’s how you can build one of these alluring structures.

Things You'll Need

• Construction diagram to scale
• Sliding door
• Treated timber wood
• Battens
• Shingles
• Carpentry tools (as relevant)
• Drill
• Translucent paper (or PVC roller blinds)
• Colored clay (dried bamboo color)
• Bolts
• Nails
• Screws

Instructions

1. You may choose an outdoor location, if it has adequate space. A corner of your backyard may be ideal.

2. Fix the vertical wooden frames into 9-inch concrete base footings. This will provide the required strength to withstand the weight of the entire tea house structure.

3. Use 4-by-1-foot treated timber sheets affixed to 3-by-3-foot timber beams. This will provide a sturdy platform, over which you can start constructing the rest of the tea house.

4. When the vertical wooden frames are firmly in position, you may start building the roof. To do this, simply construct a 2-by-2-foot frame on to which you should fix a 4-by-1-foot batten. Keep a 6-inch space between the battens, as this is the ideal space for fitting the shingles. Ensure that the roof overlaps at least 30 inches from the outside walls. This is one of the typical features of a Japanese tea house. A Japanese tea house has a pagoda-styled, curved roof. This will be your next stage to complete the roof. To obtain the curved roof design, nail shingles to the battens with 2 galvanized nails, allowing enough space for expansion. Nailing the shingles must be done in a systematic manner, following the contours of the structure below.

5. Cover the solid walls of the tea house with natural, colored clay. This is a process used in traditional Japanese tea house design. Alternatively, you may use medium density fiberboard. Apply clay (if available), or fix the fiberboard on to the 2 back walls. Once this is done, treat the fiberboards with 2 coats of water-proof varnish. This will give the walls all-weather protection.

6. The 3 doors of a Japanese tea house are called shojis, basically a very light sliding wooden door. To conform to a shoji design, build the inner frame for the 3 doors using fine wooden strips that should be arranged to form multiple rectangular shapes. Then fix an outer frame using wider strips over which the translucent paper should be glued.

7. In a Japanese tea house, translucent paper called washi is used. If you cannot find this type of paper, or one to match, you may use plain PVC roller blinds. These blinds can be fixed to the 3 doors using strong glue, or a hot melt gun. Now you may apply a coat of natural wood varnish or paint. You’ll now be ready to organize your first tea ceremony in a tea house built by you.

Tips & Warnings

• It will be helpful to use a detailed diagram of a traditional Japanese tea house as your guide. Step-by-step online video instructions are also available on some websites to assist you.

• To create an appealing interior ambiance, add a few ornamental plants and oriental-styled (red) lanterns.

• Be careful when working on outer walls and roof. Use a durable step ladder.

• Ensure that vertical columns are fixed firmly into concrete footings for efficient support of walls and roof. This will prevent collapse of the structure.