Birdhouse from One Cedar Fence Picket
How do you make a simple birdhouse? Simple - use a cedar fence picket. Here is a very simple birdhouse plan that can be built for only $2! We've got the step by step tutorial with diagrams and lots of reader submitted photos. This DIY Birdhouse is a great project as a kids kit and also great for beginner woodworkers! A Bird feeder is the perfect gift or addition for any yard, balcony, porch, tree branch or garden. RELATED: Check out our easy to build Modern Cedar DIY Birdhouse Plans.
Specifications
| Project type | Outdoor Projects |
|---|---|
| Room | Outdoor |
| Style | Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans |
| Difficulty | Starter Projects |
Dimensions
Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.
Shopping List
- 1 - 5 1/2" x 1/2" thick cedar fence picket (I used the dogeared 72" long ones)
- 26 - 1 1/4" brad nails OR 1-5/8" star bit trim screws like these
- Glue suitable for cedar
Cut List
Cut from the Cedar Fence Picket:
- 2 - 7 1/4" (front and back - longest point, cut the top corners off at a 45 degree angle to make a house shape)
- 2 - 4 1/4" (side walls - these are just a tiny bit short to allow venting inside birdhouse)
- 3 - 8 1/2" (floor and roof pieces. Also rip 1/2" off one edge (cutting with the grain the long way) of one board for the shorter roof piece - see step 4)
Tools
- measuring tape
- square
- pencil
- safety glasses
- hearing protection
- compound miter saw
- nailer
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1
Attach the floor to the back wall, with back edges flush. Use two screws per joint or two nails and glue.
Step 2
Attach side walls to back wall and floor. Use two fasteners per joint, for a total of 8 screws or nails used.
Step 3
Attach front wall to sides and floor. Note that I drilled the whole afterwards with a 2" bit.
Step 4
One of the roof pieces needs to be 1/2" (or thickness of the fence pickets) less in width than the other since the overlap. Rip 1/2" off one long side (cutting with the grain) on one of the roof pieces. Attach to front and back top edges.
Step 5
Finishing
Sand all surfaces, starting with a medium grit and finishing with fine. Wipe off the dust, fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand smooth once dry. Apply primer if you're painting, then finish with your choice of paint or stain and seal with a durable clear topcoat. For outdoor projects, use exterior-rated primer, paint or stain, and sealer so the piece stands up to the weather.
Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/diy-birdhouse-one-cedar-fence-picket