DIY dog house plans

This step by step diy project is about diy dog house plans. If you want to learn more about building a wonderful dog house for your pet, pay attention to this project. Follow the instructions and pay attention to the diagrams and build the wooden bed in just one weekend, even if you are a beginner when it comes to woodworking. Make sure your pet has enough room to turn around.

You should always plan everything from the very beginning, in order to prevent costly mistakes and to save time. Taking into account the neat design, this dog house can match the style of any backyard. Mark the cut lines on the slats before making the cuts and use a jigsaw to get the job done. If you are looking for other designs or sizes, you should check out the rest of the animal plans.

There are a few tips that you should take into account, if you want to get a professional result. Therefore, take accurate measurements and use professional tool when making the cuts or when drilling pilot holes. Align the components at both ends and add waterproof glue to the joints, if you want to create a rigid structure. Round the exposed edges with sandpaper or by using a good router.

Made from this plan

Building a dog house

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 28″ long, 4 pieces – 21″ long FLOOR
B – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 24″x28″ long FLOORING
C – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 21″ long, 3 pieces – 13″ long 2xWALLS
D – 2 piece of 2×2 lumber – 28″ long, 4 pieces – 13″ long 2xWALLS
E – 2 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 18 1/2″x28″ long, 2 pieces – 25 1/2″x32 3/4″ long WALLS
F – 8 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 20″ long, 1 piece – 28″ long RAFTERS
H – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 22 1/4″x32 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 21 1/2″x32 1/2″ long ROOFING SHEETS
I – 12 sq ft of tar paper, 12 sq ft of asphalt shingles ROOFING

2 pieces of 2×4 lumber 8 ft
5 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
12 sq ft of tar paper, 12 sq ft of asphalt shingles

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Use a good miter saw to make the angle cuts
Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws

Time

One Week

How to build a dog house

Building the floor

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the floor of the dog house. In order to get a professional result, we recommend you to build the components out of 2×4 lumber. Drill pilot holes through the side components and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the regular joists. Leave no gaps between the components and make sure the corners are square.

Building the walls

Building the side walls, as well as the front and back walls is a straight-forward process. Cut the components out of 2×2 lumber, after taking accurate measurements. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the studs. Align the components until the edges are perfectly flush.

Assembling the frame of the dog house

Assembling the frame of the dog house is the next step of the woodworking project. Drill pilot holes through the bottom plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the floor of the dog house. Align everything with attention and lock the adjacent walls together tightly. Drill pilot holes and secure everything together with 2 1/2″ screws.

Fitting the side walls

Continue the project by fitting the side walls to the dog house. Use 3/4′ plywood to build the exterior walls. Align the edges with attention and secure it to the wall frame using 1 1/4″ brad nails.

Building the rafters

Build the rafters out of 2×2 lumber. Mark the cut lines on the component and make the small notch by using a circular saw.

Fitting the rafters

Fit the rafters to the top of the dog house and lock them together by installing the top ridge. Drill pilot holes through the bottom of the rafters and secure them to the top plates using 2 1/2″ screws. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the rafters and secure them to the top ridge using 2 1/2″ screws. Alternatively, drill pilot holes through the top ridge and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the rafters.

Fitting the front face

Build the front face out of 3/4″ plywood. Use a circular saw to make the cuts to the sheet, in order to create the gable top. Use a jigsaw to make the opening, after drilling a pilot holes. Smooth the cut edges with fine-grit sandpaper.

Fitting the back wall

Use the instructions in the diagram to build the back wall. Cut the sides at 45 degrees and secure it to the frame using 1 1/4″ brad nails. Add glue to the joints and let it dry out for a few hours.

Attaching the roofing sheets

Build the roofing sheets out of 3/4′ plywood. Center the sheets to the rafters and leave no gaps between the components. Drill pilot holes and secure the sheets to the rafters every 6″, using 1 1/4″ screws.

Fitting the roofing

Install roofing felt over the roofing sheets, making sure the strips overlap at least 2″. Secure the tar paper to the plywood sheets with roofing staples. Fit the side drip edges over the roofing felt, while the bottom drip edges should be fit under. Place a starting course at the bottom of the roof, before installing the asphalt shingles. Always read the manufacturing instructions before starting the installation, as there are several aspects that differ.

Diy dog house plans – dimensions

How to build a small dog house

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. In order to get a professional result, fill the holes and the gaps with wood filler and let it dry out for a few hours. Check if there are protruding screws and fix this issue, if necessary.

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