byronreese
By Mandi Rogier
Do It Yourself Dog House
Keep your dog off the soil and out of the heat with these construction plans for a DIY custom dog house.
stock.xchng
By Mandi Rogier
OverviewOne of the most important things to have when you own a dog is a dog house. Dogs love to be outside, and a dog house gives the dog a place to go if the weather gets bad or the sun gets too hot. Building a dog house can be a rewarding, and less expensive, option. The following instructions allow you to build a dog house for a medium-sized dog that will keep the dog off the wet or cold ground and out of the hot sun.Step 1Divide the 4′ x 8′ piece of siding into the eight pieces needed for construction. Using your pencil on the siding, draw out two pieces for the front and back of the house, two pieces for the base, two pieces for the sides and two pieces for the roof. The side pieces should measure 16″ x 25…”. The roof pieces should measure 31…” x 21…”. The bottom pieces should measure 20¾” x 25…”. The front and rear should be cut into five-sided pieces with the top resembling a pyramid. The base of the pieces should be 22″ wide; each side should measure 16″. The cut should then come together at the top, making a point. Make the diagonal cuts at 45-degree angles. The top of the point should be 27″ from the bottom. Finally, cut a hole in the front pieces to be used as an entrance for the dog. The hole should be big enough to let only the dog in and out.Step 2Cut the 10′ 2-by-4 into two 22…” pieces to be used for the platform sides, two 20¾” pieces for the front and back of the platform, and four 6″ pieces for the platform legs. Sand one end of each of these 6″ pieces, forming a rounded shape; the sanded end will be the bottom of the leg. Align the tops of the 6″ pieces so they are flush with the edges of both 22…” pieces. There should be two legs on each piece, one on each end. Nail the legs into place.Step 3Put the frame together by nailing the 20¾” pieces to the 22…” pieces, creating a square. Nail the front/back pieces to the outside of each of the side pieces. Make sure both sets of legs are facing down. Place one floor piece on top of the base and nail in place, then nail the second floor piece into place on top of the first.Step 4Cut the 8′ 2-by-4 into two 2-by-2s. Then, cut these pieces into four 12½” pieces to be used later in the project as framing elements.Step 5Nail two of the framing elements onto the vertical sides of each of the side pieces. Align each element to the top corner of the side piece, running down the board, leaving about 3½” of space at the bottom. This space will allow the side to overlap the base, covering it. Also connect two framing pieces to the top points of the front and back pieces. The elements should meet at the point, running down to the 45-degree angled corner. There will be about 2½” between the framing element and the corner.Step 6Lay one of the side pieces in place and nail it to the base at the bottom of the side. Repeat this with the other side piece.Step 7Set the front and rear pieces into place by laying the front/rear framing elements onto the side pieces’ framing elements. First, nail the pieces into place at the bottom of the dog house at the base, and then nail them onto the side pieces.Step 8Install one piece of the 22″ 2-by-2 onto one of the roof pieces at one of the 32″ sides. Center the piece, making sure there is about 5″ on each side of the 2-by-2. Nail into place.Step 9Nail the roof piece with the 22″ 2-by-2 to the framing elements of the front and rear pieces. Place the other roof piece onto the house, nailing it into place on the front/rear pieces’ framing elements and the other roof piece’s top framing element. The house is now complete.skill4ingredientEye and ear protection
Tape measure
Pencil
Square
Circular saw
Hammer
4′ x 8′ sheet of …” siding
8′ 2-by-4
10′ 2-by-4
Nails
SandpaperingredientsEye and ear protectioningredientsTape measureingredientsPencilingredientsSquareingredientsCircular sawingredientsHammeringredients4′ x 8′ sheet of …” sidingingredients8′ 2-by-4ingredients10′ 2-by-4ingredientsNailsingredientsSandpapertipA coat of paint and some shingles for the roof will add a touch of class to your homemade dog house. The shingles will also help keep the roof from leaking in the rain.tipsA coat of paint and some shingles for the roof will add a touch of class to your homemade dog house. The shingles will also help keep the roof from leaking in the rain.warningAs you go through the project, double-check the nail positions, as any exposed nail tips could harm your dog.warningsAs you go through the project, double-check the nail positions, as any exposed nail tips could harm your dog.keyworddog house outside buildkeywordsdogkeywordshousekeywordsoutsidekeywordsbuildResourcesreferenceAll About Dog HousesreferenceLowe’s: Building a DoghouseresourceDog Tip: Backyard Dog, Outdoor Dog: Facts, Guidance, Solutions
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