Large dog house plans

This step by step diy woodworking project is about large dog house plans. If you want to build a nice shelter for your favorite pet, you need to pay attention to this project. Make sure the size of the dog house is appropriate for you pet, as it should be able to turn inside without any worries. There are many diy projects featured on our site, so don’t be afraid to browse through the rest of the woodworking plans.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the wooden dog house to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

It is essential to invest in high quality materials, that are also water-resistant, such as pressure-treated lumber. Cut the components at the right size by using a circular saw and smooth the cut edges with a sand block. Don’t forget to ask a skilled friend to assist you during the project, especially if you don’t have a large expertise in the field. You need someone to hold the components into place, while you drive the screws in. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building a dog house

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 36″ long, 4 pieces – 40″ long FRAME
B – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 36″x43″ long FLOOR
C – 4 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 34 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 33″ long FRONT WALL
D – 4 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 25″ long, 2 pieces – 33″ long BACK WALL
E – 1 piece of 2×2 lumber – 43″ long, 1 piece – 44 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 24 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 28 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 31 3/4″ long 2xSIDE WALL
E – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 40 3/4″x43″ long, 1 piece – 37″x40 3/4″ long, 1 piece – 30 1/4″x37″ long WALLS
F – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 41 1/2″ long RAFTERS
G – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 38 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 45 1/4″ long TRIMS
H – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 38 1/2″x46 3/4″ long, 30 sq ft tar paper, 30 sq ft asphalt shingles ROOFING

3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
10 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8 ft
2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
3 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
2 1/2″ screws
1 5/8″ screws
15 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

Small dog house plans

Building a dog house

Building the floor

First of all, you need to build the floor of the large dog house. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to build the frame of the floor out of 2×4 lumber. Cut the components at the right size and drill pilot holes through the rim joists. Insert 2 1/2″ screws to secure the frame together properly. Place the joists equally-spaced to get a professional result.

Building the side walls

Build the side walls for the dog house out of 2×2 lumber. Cut the top of the vertical studs at 13 degrees, by using a circular saw. Drill pilot holes through the top and bottom plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws, to create a rigid structure between the components. Place the studs equally-spaced and leave no gaps between the components.

Front and back walls

Continue the project by assembling the front and the back walls for the dog house. Take accurate measurements and cut the components at the right size. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the studs. Make sure the corners are right-angled and add glue to the joints. Align everything with great care and leave no gaps between the components.

Assembling the frame of the dog house

Drill pilot holes through the bottom plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the floor. Align everything properly, making sure the edges are perfectly flush. In addition, secure the adjacent walls together by using galvanized screws. Leave no gaps between the components and make sure the structure is sturdy.

Building the side walls

Build the side walls for the dog house out of 3/4″ plywood. Mark the cut lines on the sheets and get the job done with a circular saw. Smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the residues with a damp cloth.

Building the side walls

Build the front wall for the dog house out of 3/4″ plywood. Mark the cut lines on the sheet and adjust it to the right dimensions. In addition, you need to cut out the opening. Drill a starting holes inside the opening and use a jigsaw to get the job done in a professional manner.

Fitting the back walls

Cut the back wall out of 3/4″ plywood and secure it to the studs using finishing nails. Align the edges with great care and leave no gaps between the components.

Fitting the intermediary rafters

Build the rafters out of 2×2 lumber and cut both ends at 13 degrees. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the rafters and secure them to the frame using 2 1/2″ screws. Place the rafters equally-spaced and leave no gaps between the components.

Fitting the roof sheet

Install 1×4 trims to the top of the roof, if you want to enhance the look of the woodworking project. Afterwards, fit the 3/4″ plywood roofing sheet to the top frame of the dog house. Align the edges with attention, making sure they are perfectly flush. Add glue to the joints and make sure there are no gaps between the components.

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.

Large dog house plans

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Check out the rest of the animal projects, to see more ways to improve the look of your garden.

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