How to Build a Birdhouse

This month we include a How-To for a great family project--how to build a birdhouse. This is a perfect activity for parents to do with their children or grandchildren. It can be used to teach about birds, as well as the proper use of tools.

Be aware that there are two approaches to building a birdhouse. You may want to construct a handsome house that is used mostly for decoration; or, you may be serious about attracting birds to your home. If you are serious about bird watching, read our how-to on attracting birds to your lawn. Also, do some research on the type of birds you wish to attract. The decorative painted houses described at the end of this how-to are fun projects and make great home or yard decorations, but birds often prefer plain, weathered and unpainted houses.

These How-To's are provided as a service from Lowe's, the Original Home Improvement Warehouse of How-To Information for the World Wide Web. The information in Lowe's "How-To" clinics is intended to simplify jobs around the house. Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow applicable codes and regulations, and is urged to consult with a professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.

Tools You Will Need
Materials You Will Need
Safety Considerations
Building the Basic Birdhouse
Painting Your New Birdhouse
Lets Get Fancy!
Birdhouse Size Options

Tools You Will Need

This project will be easier if you have a bandsaw, tablesaw or scroll saw; however, power tools are unnecessary. Many people receive tremendous satisfaction from constructing bird houses using only hand tools. For the benefit of those with no power tools, the following list includes hand tools only. If you do have power tools, they may be substituted for hand tools where appropriate.

• hand saw
• coping saw
• hammer
• brace and bit (or power drill)
• screwdriver
• ruler
• carpenter's square
• pencil
• paintbrush
• safety glasses

Materials You Will Need

• (1) 2 foot x 4 foot sheet of 1/2 inch exterior grade plywood
• (1) 6 1/2 inch x 1/4 inch wooden dowel
• (6) rust-resistant wood screws #6 x 3/4 inches long
• 1 inch galvanized brads or 3 penny nails
• waterproof glue
• sandpaper
• exterior latex house paint
• polyurethane finish

This project is a great opportunity for parents to discuss tool/do-it-yourself safety with children. A few things to talk about:

• An adult should do all cutting of wood and all power tool operation
• Wearing safety glasses is very important – flying nails, sawdust or wood from hammer blows can seriously damage eyes
• (Adults) Always wear ear plugs when using power tools
• Always wear a respirator (mask over your mouth and nose) if there is any risk of breathing a contaminate, such as fumes, vapors or small particles of matter
• Hand tools can be extremely sharp. Improperly used, they pose a serious threat of injury to the user. Do not wear loose clothing during building projects – loose clothing can get caught in power tools and pull fragile limbs into sharp, rapidly rotating blades and bits. Children should learn that tools are important but demand respect and attention.
• Always make sure nails are accurately driven and not sticking through the wood where they can scratch people or pets

Building the Basic Birdhouse

1. Lay out the dimensions for the birdhouse elements as per the drawing. Use a carpenter's square to lay out perfectly square corners. You'll want the walls and floor of the house to fit together without gaps.

   Laying out the elements:

   The front and back--

   1. Draw two rectangles, 6 1/2 inches x 8 5/8 inches, using the short sides as the top and bottom.
   2. Place a mark on each vertical side 5 1/4 inches from the bottom.
   3. Mark the center of the top side of each rectangle. These marks will serve as the points where the roof will peak.
   4. For each piece, connect this top mark with the marks on the sides. The resulting lines define the roof-line of the birdhouse.

   The sides (2)-- 5" x 6 1/2"

   The floor-- 6 1/2" x 6 1/4"

   The floor attachment rails (2)-- 6 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/2"

   The roof halves (1 each size)-- 6 1/2" x 9 1/4"and 6" x 9 1/4"

   For your first birdhouse, we recommend that you use the sizes included with the drawings. If you wish to build houses of different sizes later to accommodate different types of birds, use the figures listed in the size option table at the end of this article to adjust the drawing as appropriate. The construction methods are the same for all sizes.

2. Adult cuts the elements to size.
    
   
3. Drill a 1 1/2 inch diameter hole for the bird entrance on the front. Also, pre-drill the 1/4 inch hole to accept the wooden perch to be added after the house is assembled. (Consult the drawing for hole placement.)

   

4. Mount the floor attachment rails to the insides of the front and back walls.
    
   
   1. Mark the horizontal center-line of the floor attachment rails with a pencil.
   2. Mark the center-line from the bottom of the inside front and back walls.
   3. Center the floor attachment rails on the inside of the front and back walls using your pencil marks as a guide. The rails should be parallel to, and flush with, the bottoms of the walls.
   4. Use waterproof glue and galvanized nails to attach the pieces.

   

5. Attach the sides between the front and back walls using waterproof glue and galvanized nails. Be sure to accurately align the bottoms of the walls.
    
   
6. Attach the roof halves to the top of the house.
   Attach the 6 inch wide roof piece first, with the top edge accurately aligned with the peak of the roof line. The 6 1/2 inch piece overlaps the edge of the first piece at the peak.
   
   
7. Turn the birdhouse over and attach the bottom with wood screws. The screws should go through the bottom and into the attachment rails located inside the birdhouse at the front and back walls. Don't use glue here. You will be able to remove the bottom for cleaning between seasons simply by removing the screws.
    
   
8. Sand your birdhouse for a nice, smooth finish.
    
   
9. Insert the dowel into the pre-drilled hole on the front of the house.

Painting Your New Birdhouse

• If you decide to paint your new birdhouse, remember that different birds prefer different colors. Martins, for example, prefer white. Do some research on the species you are attempting to attract.

 

• Don't paint the inside of the house. Birds will not nest in houses which are painted inside or which smell like humans. Expect your new house to hang unoccupied for a few weeks before birds settle in.

 

• Finish the bird house with two or three coats of external latex paint. Finish with three coats of polyurethane. New water-based polyurethane finishes have been developed which work well over paint and do not yellow the finish color. These new finishes are environmentally friendly, and clean up easily too.

Let's Get Fancy!

Once you have constructed your basic birdhouse, you may hang it up and enjoy your handiwork. Or, if you are feeling adventurous and want to create a work of art, you may decide to get fancy. All you need is a pine board, some paint of different colors and some imagination. Illustration 5 shows an example of a face which can be cut out, painted and attached to the front of your birdhouse. Be creative! This is your chance to add your personal touch to the birdhouse project.

Birdhouse Size Options (all sizes in inches)

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