Introduction: How to Build a Dog Kennel - Cheap and Easy Dog House
In this Instructable, I go over the steps involved
in making a warm double thickness Dog House,
made from pallet palings and stringers.
The doorway is offset to one side,
to allow for curling up around the corner and out of the weather.
The skillion roof is perfect for placing up against the side of the house.
The pallet palings are double thickness to create a thicker barrier from the elements,
as well as closing in any air gaps.
Supplies
This project came in under $38 Australian.
- Pallet Wood - Free
- Half a box of 25mm screws - $8
- One third of a box of 40mm screws - $9
- Small pack of 100mm screws - $3.50
- 250ml of stain - $13
- Poster paint - $1
- 200ml of clear coat - $3.50
Step 1: Preparation
Start by cutting and pulling apart a few pallets.
Step 2:
I then created a rough plan for the build.
I made the floor dimensions to suit the size of scrap conveyor belt
that I plan to use as the bedding.
Step 3:
For the base frame, I used the pallet stringers.
I prefer to cut the nails off with the angle grinder,
because it is quicker and easier than removing them.
Step 4:
Mark them out. Cut them to length.
Then pre-drill and countersink.
Step 5: Base Frame + Floor
Make a simple frame.
I use chipboard screws for most of my builds,
because they are affordable.
Step 6:
Add a center support.
These angle clamps come in handy for keeping everything square.
Step 7:
Attach a paling either end of the frame
and then start filling in the center with loose palings.
Step 8:
Measure the remaining gap in the floor.
Rip a paling on the table saw to suit.
Then tap that into position.
Step 9:
Use a straight edge to mark out the screw holes.
Step 10:
Drill the holes with a depth gauge, set to the depth of the palings.
I am simply using some masking tape.
Step 11:
Then attach all the boards.
The kids love helping with this part.
Step 12:
Mark the overhang and cut all the palings to length.
Step 13:
A rough clean up with the 40 grit flap disk on the angle grinder.
And Drax likes it already.
Step 14: The Walls
Moving onto the first wall.
Attach a paling either side.
Step 15:
I ripped a paling to 50mm to use as my top attachment point.
Making sure that the top and bottom of the wall are the same width across.
Step 16:
Constantly checking for square in all directions.
Step 17:
Attach the rest of the wall palings between the two ends.
Step 18:
Repeat the same steps for the shorter wall.
Step 19:
Add a horizontal attachment beam for the front face of the kennel.
Step 20:
Lay a straight edge on top of the kennel.
And keep all the vertical palings longer than the slant of the roof.
Step 21:
I marked out a 300mm door opening.
Step 22:
Add a paling for the pitch of the roof.
Step 23:
Using a straight edge to mark and then cut off the overhang.
Step 24:
Repeat for the back wall, minus the door opening.
Step 25: The Roof
More pallet stringers for the frame of the removable roof.
Cut off the nails and rip them down the center.
Step 26:
Lay one ripped stringer on top, and butt the speed square up against it.
Mark your cut, then do the same for the other end.
Step 27:
Cut 3 of these and keep them snug enough so they wont fall.
Step 28:
I then attached a temporary paling to the top of the tallest wall,
so I can see were to start the roof.
This side of the kennel will not have an overhang,
because I want it to sit flush up against the side of our house.
Step 29:
Attach all the roof palings.
Note: The overhang paling on the bottom edge,
doesn't have anything to attach to 'YET'.
But once the double thickness top is on,
you can attach the loose paling from the underside.
Step 30: Double Thickness
Remove the temporary paling.
Correct the angle to match the roof. Then reattach it.
Step 31:
Completely cover in the side, to make it double thickness.
This time running the palings horizontally
and attaching them from the inside to hide the screw heads.
Step 32:
Clamp and square up the first double thickness roof paling.
Then lay the rest on top. Flip it over and attach from the underside.
Step 33:
Cut off all the overhangs
and give the roof a rough sand.
Step 34:
Double thickness palings for the other wall.
Step 35:
Mark and cut the roof angles for the double thickness front face.
And attach them from the inside.
Step 36:
Repeating the same thing for the back wall.
Step 37: Stain
I used a water base exterior stain in the colour Merbau.
Watered down to a 1:1 ratio.
Step 38: Trim Details
For the edge details I ripped some palings at 45°
Step 39:
Cut them to length. Then attached them.
Step 40:
I mixed a dark blue with cheap poster paint.
Step 41:
Removed the edging to paint them.
Step 42:
A simple 45° angle frame for around the door.
Step 43:
After the paint has dried. Re-attach the edge details.
Step 44:
Add a simple frame around the lid.
Step 45: Sealing
Clear coat to protect.
Step 46:
I use pavement sealer for my builds,
because it is a hell of a lot cheaper than the clear coats for timber.
And I really like the low sheen finish.
I also water that down to a 1:1 ratio to make it even cheaper.
Step 47:
The first coat soaks in nicely,
the second coat sits perfectly on top.
Step 48: Finished Project
Thank you for reading about my 'Dog Kennel' project.
If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them.
If you are wondering about my choice of materials, fastenings and finishes.
I opt for the cheaper options over quality.
Hence the reason for me using primarily pallet wood in my projects.
The way I see it is
If I went for only quality materials, I would not be able to affordto complete a build.
By choosing to 'Cheap Out' I can build as many things as I like.
Step 49: DIY Video
I have a 5 minute DIY video about this build,
that you may be interested in checking out.
