What Materials Do You Need To Build A Birdhouse?
If you haven’t built a birdhouse before, we have some unique birdhouse projects to build that make attracting songbirds all that more fun! To create a sturdy, effective birdhouse,
What Materials Do You Need To Build A Birdhouse?
If you haven’t built a birdhouse before, we have some unique birdhouse projects to build that make attracting songbirds all that more fun! To create a sturdy, effective birdhouse, you’ll want to gather the proper materials before getting started.
In total, the materials needed to build a birdhouse include 3/4 Cedar-wood, galvanized screws/finishing nails, waterproof wood glue, and a clear non-toxic oil base. You can also use hinges to add a hinged opening to the birdhouse for easy cleaning.
For a more straightforward solution, you may choose to make a birdhouse out of dried gourds and upcycled materials.
If you are thinking about building a birdhouse, keep reading as we discuss what materials you will need and some unique different materials to create something different yet easy.
The traditional style of birdhouses uses wooden planks in its construction, and the best wood to use is a naturally weatherproof wood, such as cedarwood or redwood. You can also opt for pinewood or cypress wood, but these will not be as long-lasting as cedarwood or redwood.
If you need guidance when deciding which wood to choose, you can refer to this article, “What Kind of Wood Should I Use to Make a Birdhouse?”
Treated vs. Untreated
When deciding which wood to use, make sure to get as natural wood as possible. Treated wood, such as plywood, can be undesirable to many birds. However, many people still go for these options due to the availability and ease of use.
Some birds may only use a birdhouse made from treated wood after some months or years of weathering because birds are highly sensitive to toxic chemicals.
The standard plank size for a basic, traditional birdhouse is eight inches wide. It should be at least ¾ of an inch thick to provide optimal insulation for nesting birds. As an example, you can cut your planks into the following pieces:
|Section||No of Pieces||Dimensions|
|Sidewalls||2||4 x 3.5 inches|
|Floor||1||5 x 3.25 inches|
|Right Hand Side Roof Slat||1||4.75 x 7 inches|
|Left Hand Side Roof Slat||1||5.5 x 7 inches|
|Front and Back Walls||2||5 x 8 inches|
Remember, before you can start assembling your pieces, make sure that you have drilled a hole in the front panel large enough for the type of bird you want to attract to fit through comfortably.
Along with your wood materials, there are a few tools that you need to help with your construction.
To cut your planks into the desired pieces, you will need either a hand saw or, preferably, a bandsaw. If you don’t own a saw at home or have access to one, you can have your local hardware store cut the wood for you or purchase a handsaw to do the cutting yourself.
Many hardware stores are happy to cut the wood you have purchased from them into your desired dimensions free of charge.
Hand or Electric Drill
You will also need a drill for three things during your birdhouse project: 1) using galvanized screws, 2) drilling drainage holes, and 3) cutting your opening hole.
You will need a drill to drive your galvanized screws in effortlessly and reinforce your birdhouse. You also need to drill at least four drainage holes at the bottom of your birdhouse to prevent moisture build-up inside the house.
You will also need a hole saw an extension to drill a hole in your front panel for birds to enter your birdhouse. Choose the right diameter for your entry hole according to the birds’ size that you hope to attract.
Even though you can use a screwdriver to screw in the galvanized screws during assembly, you won’t be able to create the hole for birds to enter your birdhouse without a drill. If you don’t have access to a drill, you can take the panel to your local hardware store and ask them to help you drill the hole.
A screwdriver can come in handy to tighten your screws once they are in or to loosen them again if needed.
Once you have gathered your wood and tools, you need to choose the right fasteners to put all your pieces together.
Wood Glue & Clamps
To join your wood pieces together, you will need a strong, reliable wood glue. The glue acts as an initial join to form your birdhouse before you reinforce it with galvanized screws.
When choosing your glue, opt for outdoor, water-resistant wood glue. Using the glue nozzle or a paintbrush, apply wood glue to the edges of your wood pieces and carefully join them together.
You want to assemble your four walls first and wait for them to dry before gluing on the roof and attaching the floor.
Use clamps to hold your birdhouse pieces together to give the wood glue enough time to dry in the right position. If you do not have clamps, purchasing at least two large clamps is a must for birdhouse construction.
You want your clamps to easily fit over your birdhouse to hold it together. Place your clamps over the newly glued p