Building a Doghouse

two sheets 4' x 8' 3/4-inch plywood
tape measure
pencil
chalk line
circular saw
safety goggles and gloves
T-square
2x4 and 4x4 lumber
2-1/2" galvanized screws
drill
2" x 2" wood strips (to act as cleats)
vinyl siding (corner pieces, j-channels also)
7/8" roofing nails
level
hammer
vinyl shears
roofing felt
staple gun
utility knife

1. Take into consideration the size of your dog, then lay out the dimensions on a 4' x 8' sheet of 3/4-inch plywood. Make pencil marks for the side and roof panels, then pop chalk lines between these marks. Cut the panels with a circular saw (figure A). Practice safety!

2. Next, using a T-square (figure B), lay out the pieces for the bottom, front and back of the doghouse on the second piece of plywood.

3. First cut out the entry hole for the front of the doghouse. Cut the hole large enough to allow your dog easy access, but don't make the hole too large. This will keep bad weather from intruding.

4. Create two skids by cutting 45-degree angles on two sides of a 4x4 using a circular saw. Cut completely through the 4x4 to create the two skids. The 45-degree angles should look like this image (figure C). Attach two 2x4 support braces between the two skids with galvanized screws and a drill. Turn the assembly over (angled cuts facing down) and attach the floor of the doghouse with galvanized screws. The assembly should look like this (figure D).

5. Now that the doghouse bottom is constructed, it's time to move to the sides. Measure down 1-1/2-inch from the top of the flooring (figure E) and draw a straight line using a level on both of the skids. To attach the first side, line the bottom of the first side panel piece up with the pencil mark and secure with galvanized screws. Repeat for the opposite side (figure F).

6. To secure the front and back panels, first screw on 2" x 2" wood cleats to either side of each panel. Stand the back panel in place then secure it with several screws through each of the cleats (figure G). When securing your assembly, you want to make absolutely sure that your screws do NOT protrude into the interior of the doghouse. All four sides attached should resemble this form (figure H).

7. The roof is all you lack. Some things to consider: make sure the pitch is steep enough to slough off rain or snow and make sure the overhang is far enough that water runs away from the doghouse, not toward it.

8. To attach the roof, secure 2" x 2" cleats along the roofline of the doghouse. Use another pleat to join two roof panels to make one large rooftop unit (figure I). Place the roof on top of the structure and check for proper alignment. Secure to the cleats with galvanized screws.

9. Now for the vinyl siding (or you can stop here, prime and paint). To calculate the angle of the corner piece at the roofline, simply place a level next to the roofline and mark the angle on the vinyl (figure J). Use a pair of vinyl shears to cut the vinyl along the marked line, then attach the vinyl to the doghouse corner.

10. Next, measure and cut the J-channel. Attach this just below the roofline (figure K). Measure, cut and attach a starter strip at the bottom of one side. Add your first strip of vinyl just above the starter strip and attach with roofing nails (which should be used anywhere on the surface where nails might protrude into the interior). Continue to add siding (figure L).

11. Continue until all sides are covered, adding J-channels around the opening to soften the edges (figure M).

12. Last come the shingles. Begin by applying roofing felt to the roof plywood, fastening with staples. Trim off the excess from the edges. Snap a chalk line from front to back to use as a guide, then run your first row of shingles. This row should be installed upside-down to help ensure the roof has no leaks (figure N).

13. Nail the next row exactly over the first row of shingles with roofing nails. For each subsequent course, overlap the previous course. Continue the process on both sides of the roof, then add a ridge cap and trim the ends of all shingles, leaving a half-inch overhang (figure O).