Building a weatherproof dog house works much the same way as building a human home. Even so, the process of building a weatherproof dog house is simple since the scale is smaller and there are no windows to trouble with. You can get everything you need to build a weatherproof dog house at a home improvement store. If you have some left over siding and composite roof singles from your home remodeling projects, you can build your weatherproof dog house out of these. Here are the steps to building and decorating a weatherproof dog house.
#1. What You’ll Need to Build a Weatherproof Dog House
The frame for your dog house will be made of wood. If you want to build a weatherproof dog house out of wood, simply buy pressure-treated wood. If you intend to coat the exterior of the house with weatherproof siding and roof singles, buy 2×4 lumber to build the frame of the house. In addition, you’ll need weatherproof silicon, nails a hammer and saw.
#2. Determine the Size of the Dog House Frame
Determine the width, depth and height of your dog house based on your dog’s size. When your dog is lying stretched out on the floor, measure his length then add one foot to arrive at the best width measurement for the weatherproof dog house you are building. When your dog is standing up, measure his height then add two feet to arrive at the dog house length (height) measurement. Finally, measure the length of your dog from head to tail and add two feet to arrive at the dog house depth measurement.
#3. Build the Frame of the Dog House
The base of the frame is formed from 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber that correspond to your width and depth measurements. Nail the wood together, then build the length pieces of the frame from 2×4 lumber that correspond to your height measurements. Space the 2×4’s one foot apart, then top them with 2×4 lumber built directly above the bottom frame. Finally, insert 2×4 lumber at one foot intervals over the frame to build a base for the roof.
#4. Finish Building the Dog House Frame
Cut plywood to fit the width and height of the dog house for the purpose of coating the dog house all around. Cut a door opening that’s wide and tall enough for your dog to get through comfortably.
#5. Build the Sides of the Dog House
You can build the weatherproof dog house sides using siding or pressure-treated wood. The tongue-and-groove construction of siding offers complete insulation from water. If you’re using pressure-treated wood, consider sealing the cracks between the wood using clear silicon when you are done. Attach the siding or wood to the plywood at the points where the 2×4’s exist at the back of the dog house frame.. Cut the door opening to extend a little past the plywood base.
#6. Insulate the Dog House Roof
Since hot air rises, you can improve the weatherproof dog house by insulating the roof. Any body heat released by your dog will remain trapped inside the dog house. Use crawl space insulation from your home improvement store. First cover the dog house roof with plywood, then lay the insulation over it.
#7. Insulate the Dog House Walls
You can choose to insulate the dog house walls as well as the ceiling. Place crawl space insulation between the plywood and 2×4’s forming the frame of the dog house, then cover the insulation with a plywood cover inside the dog house. This will also give the interior of the dog house you are building a finished look.
#8. Build the Dog House Roof
If you do not intend to coat the roof with shingles, use pressure-treated 2×5.5 lumber to build the roof of the dog house. Begin at the front of the house by nailing two pieces of lumber to form a triangle over the insulated roof. Make sure you cut the ends of the wood at 45 degree angles (mitered edges) first. This will allow the two pieces of lumber to unit at the tip of the house, where you can nail them. It will also create a straight, beautiful edge where the roof line extends past the dog house frame. Be sure to seal the cracks between the lumber using clear silicon. If you will be covering the roof with shingles, feel free to save money by using 2×4 lumber for the roof frame.
#9. Shingle the Dog House Roof
Look for cheap shingles in closeouts at home improvement stores. If you have leftover shingles from a roof installation at your home, you might have enough to cover the dog house roof. Glue the sheets of shingles to the wood roof, making sure you overlap them.
#10. Make the Dog House Beautiful
If you used beautiful wood, stain the dog house to preserve the wood and add beauty to your work. Add decorative elements to the dog house, like fake shutters made from plywood or a fake window made from a frame of wood with the shape of a cross inside it (in imitation of French windows). You can even hang a small window box on the side of the house for a charming addition. Always paint such additions in bright colors to add life and beauty to your weatherproof dog house.
Now learn how to build a patio pet door or how to build dog stairs for beds.
