How To Build A Birdhouse

Obtaining and Preparing Materials

1. Purchase untreated wood measuring 1 inch by 8 inches (2.5 cm by 20.3 cm) and 8 feet (240 cm) in length. Buying untreated and unpainted wood, such as cedar or cypress, ensures the birdhouse won't wear or break from the weather. Purchase this type of wood from your local hardware store and request these specific lengths and dimensions.

The 1x8 inch measurement refers to the width and thickness of the wood, while the 8-foot (2.4-meter) measurement refers to the length.

Woods like cedar or cypress don't rot and are more durable than other types of wood.

If you don't have a saw at home, a hardware store employee can help you saw the wood to 8-foot (2.4-meter) lengths.

Untreated wood also allows you to paint the birdhouse a different color later.

2. Purchase a box of galvanized screws. Unlike nails, which can loosen over time and make your birdcage brittle, galvanized screws will securely seal your birdhouse. You can purchase galvanized screws at your local hardware store or online.

Galvanized screws require a drill bit for installation; if you don't have one, consider purchasing one from a hardware store.

3. Purchase C-clamps from a hardware store. These clamps tighten via a knob, allowing you to adjust the clamp's strength and pressure. If you have difficulty identifying C-clamps, ask a hardware store employee for assistance.

4. Cut the 1x8-inch plank into different sections. Use a band saw to cut the large piece of wood into the sections listed below. You can use a regular saw and ruler to cut the wood, or have someone cut it to specific dimensions for you at a hardware store or woodworking shop. After cutting, you should have seven different pieces of wood. The different cuts you will need are:

Two 4-inch by 3.5-inch (10.2 cm by 8.9 cm) pieces of material are needed for the sidewalls.

One 5-inch wide by 3.25-inch long (12.7 cm wide by 8.3 cm long) plank is needed for the floor.

The right side of the roof needs a tile measuring 4.75 inches wide and 7 inches long (12.1 cm wide and 17.8 cm long).

The left side of the roof needs a piece of material measuring 5.5 inches x 7 inches (14 cm x 18 cm).

The front and back walls each need two separate pieces of material, measuring 5 inches by 8 inches (13 cm x 20 cm).

5. Drill a hole with a circumference of 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm). This will be where the birds enter the birdhouse. Depending on the size of the birds in your area, drill a hole between 1 and 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm). Drill this hole two-thirds of the way up the wooden block.

Use a drill press to make the hole, or have a professional at a hardware store do it.

6. Sand the edges of the newly drilled hole. Use fine sandpaper, such as #220, to soften the edges. Sand the edges on both sides of the wood until they feel smooth to the touch. The size of the hole you drill will determine which types of birds can enter and get in.

02 Assembling the Birdhouse

1. Paint or stain the wood before assembling the parts. Pick up some dye or natural-looking paint from a hardware store. Apply the dye or paint with a brush and allow it to dry as needed.

Bright, shiny colors may scare away birds and prevent them from enjoying your birdhouse, so choose a neutral and natural shade of paint.

Do not paint the inside of the nest, as birds will peck at the inside and may ingest the paint.

2. Place the 5x3.25-inch floorboards on a flat surface. Place your tools on the work surface so you can easily reach them, and place the other wood blocks nearby.

Using a workbench or table will allow you to build the birdhouse without bending over or sitting on the ground.

3. Apply wood glue to the joint edges of the birdhouse walls. Do this one by one until all four birdhouse walls are glued together. If one side of the wood is untreated, place the rough part inside the birdhouse.

4. Clamp the four walls of the birdhouse together and let them air dry. Secure the clips at each corner, applying pressure to the joint edges. After securing the clips to all four walls, allow the wood glue to cure for at least thirty minutes. The wood blocks should be firmly clamped, but be careful not to damage the wood or crack the walls by overtightening.

Apply pressure to the wood with the clips to ensure the glue cures properly.

5. Secure the flooring section with screws. Using small galvanized screws and a drill bit, flush the baseboard with the four walls and secure it.

Do not glue the floorboards, as this will make it difficult to access the interior of the birdhouse.

6. Glue the wooden roof components to the four walls at a 90-degree angle. The roof panels should overlap, with the left side (the longer piece) higher than the right. Tilt the roof panels, join the two pieces together with wood glue, and clamp for thirty minutes before securing them to the four walls.

Secure the clips firmly, applying pressure to the joint edges of the roof.

The sloping roof design prevents rainwater or snow from accumulating on the birdhouse roof.

7. Secure the roof panels to the wall. Carefully align the screws with the outer edges of the birdhouse walls. Drill holes in the roof panels, extending into the outer edges of the front and back walls, until the roof panels feel secure and safe.