With the cold weather quickly approaching, many pet owners are looking for ways to keep their furry friends warm. One option is to build a dog house out of a plastic barrel. This easy project can be completed in just a few hours, and it’s a great way to use up old or unused barrels. Plus, your dog will love having his cozy place to relax! Read on for instructions on how to make a dog house out of a plastic barrel.
Dogs are den animals, meaning they feel secure and comfortable in small, enclosed spaces. This makes a barrel the perfect material for a dog house, as it will provide your pup with a warm and cozy place to rest. Plus, plastic barrels are often made from recycled materials, so you can feel good about upcycling! Many barrels come with lids, which can be used to create a door for the dog house. If your barrel doesn’t have a lid, you can cut out a doorway yourself.
Contents
Supplies You’ll Need:
- 1 plastic 55-gallon barrel
- 4 2×4’s (8 ft long)
- 1 sheet of 1/2 inch exterior plywood
- 1 roll of 15 lb felt paper
- 1 bundle of 30 shingles
- 1 tube of roofing cement
- 1 hammer
- 1 Sawzall or jigsaw
- 1 drill with various bits, including a hole saw or spade bit
- 1 screw gun with 3-inch screws
- Staples and stapler
- Silicone sealant
- Dog door
- Paint, etc.
A Stepwise Guide on How to Make a Dog House Out of a Plastic Barrel
Step 1: Determine the Size of Your Dog House
The size of your dog house is an essential factor you need to consider before starting with this project. After all, you wouldn’t want your dog to feel cramped up inside his new home, would you? To get the dimensions right, use a tape measure to determine how long and wide your dog is. Once you have these numbers, add about 4 inches to each measurement. These extra inches will ensure that your pooch has enough room to move around and turn comfortably inside his new home.
Step 2: Cut the Barrel in Half With the Sawzall
Now that you know how big your dog house should be, it’s time to cut the barrel half. To do this, make sure to put on a pair of safety goggles and gloves first. Then, using a Sawzall or jigsaw, start cutting the barrel from its top down to its bottom. Once you’re done, you should have two identical barrel halves.
Step 3: Drill a Hole in the Top of Each Half for the Dog to Enter and Exit
The next step is to drill a hole on each barrel half. This will be where your dog can enter and exit his new home. To make the hole, first, use a drill with a hole saw or spade bit to create a big enough hole for your dog to fit through comfortably. Once you’re done, smooth out the hole’s edges with a file or sandpaper.
Step 4: Screw the Two Halves Together Using the Screwdriver
Now, it’s time to put the two halves of the barrel together. To do this, line up the edges of the halves and screw them together using a screwdriver and 3-inch screws. Make sure to leave about a 1/2-inch gap between the two halves so that your dog has enough ventilation inside his new home.
Step 5: Flip the Barrel Over and Place It on Its Opening
Once you’ve screwed the two halves of the barrel together, it’s time to flip it over so that its opening is facing downwards. Once you’ve done this, place the barrel on its opening to create an entrance for your dog.
Step 6: Trace and Cut a Circle on One Side of the Barrel Using the Jigsaw
Now, it’s time to create a door for your dog. To do this, trace and cut a circle on one side of the barrel using a jigsaw. The size of the circle will depend on the size of your dog. Just make sure that it’s big enough for him to fit through comfortably.
Step 7: Cut Out the Door Using the Jigsaw
Once you’ve traced and cut the circle, it’s time to cut out the door. To do this, follow the lines that you’ve drawn earlier. Once you’re done, smooth out the edges of the door with a file or sandpaper.
Step 8: Attach the Dog Door to the Barrel Using Screws
Now, it’s time to attach the dog door to the barrel. Line up the edges of the door with the hole you’ve cut earlier and screw it into place using a screwdriver and 3-inch screws.
Step 9: Cut Four Pieces of 2×4 Lumber Into 8-Inch Lengths
The next step is to cut four pieces of 2×4 lumber into 8-inch lengths. These will be used as supports for the barrel. Once you’ve cut the lumber, it’s time to attach the supports to the barrel. To do this, line up the edges of the lumber with the edges of the barrel and screw them into place using a screwdriver and 3-inch screws.
Step 10: Measure and Cut a Piece of Wood to Fit Snugly Inside the Barrel Opening (this will be the roof)
After screwing the two halves of the barrel together, it’s time to cut a piece of wood to fit snugly inside the opening. This will be the roof of your dog’s house. First, use a tape measure to find out how long and wide the opening is to get the right measurements. Once you have these numbers, add about 2 inches to each measurement. Then, using a saw, cut the piece of wood to size.
Step 11: Drill a Hole at Each End of the Roof Piece and Attach It to the Top of Each Half of the Barrel Using Screws
Once you have the roof piece cut to size, drill a hole at each end of it. Then, using screws, attach the roof to the top of each barrel half. Ensure that the roof is attached securely so that it won’t come off quickly.
Step 12: Cut a Hole in the Front of Each Barrel Half for the Door
The next step is to cut a hole in the front of each barrel half for the door. First, use a tape measure to find out how big you want the door to be. Once you have these measurements, use a saw to cut out the door.
Step 13: Attach the Door to the Front of Each Barrel Half Using Screws
Once you’ve cut the hole for the door, it’s time to attach the door to the barrel. Line up the edges of the door with the hole that you’ve cut and screw it into place using a screwdriver and 3-inch screws.
Step 14: Place Some Bedding Inside the Barrel for Your Dog
The last step is to place some bedding inside the barrel for your dog. This can be anything from a blanket to a pillow. Once you’ve done this, your dog’s house is complete! These steps will help in how to make a dog house out of a plastic barrel.
Tips and Advice:
- If you’re using a 55-gallon barrel, cut off the top third of the barrel. If you’re using a smaller barrel, cut off the top half. This will give your dog plenty of headroom.
- Be sure to smooth out any sharp edges on the inside or outside of the barrel, so your dog doesn’t hurt himself.
- Punch holes in the bottom of the barrel for drainage.
- You can decorate the outside of the barrel to make it more aesthetically pleasing and personalize it for your dog. For example, try painting it or attaching decals. Just be sure not to use anything that could potentially harm your dog if he decides to chew on it.
With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to making a safe and comfortable dog house out of a plastic barrel. Your four-legged friend will thank you for it!
How Do You Build a Modern Dog House?
There are many ways that you can build a dog house, but one of the most popular ways is to use a plastic barrel. This is because it’s a relatively cheap material to use, and it’s also straightforward to work with. Plus, it will help keep your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Building a dog house out of a plastic barrel is easy. You’ll need to cut the barrel half lengthwise and ensure that the halves are securely attached. Once you have done that, you’ll need to cut a door on one side of the barrel so that your dog can get in and out.
After you’ve made the cuts, you’ll need to sand down the edges of the barrel so that they’re smooth. Once you’ve done that, you can start painting or staining the barrel. This is entirely up to you, but it’s good to use a dark color so that the dog house doesn’t get too hot in the summer.
Finally, you’ll need to add some insulation to the dog house. This is important because it will help to keep your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer. You can use anything from straw to Styrofoam for this. Once you’ve added the insulation, you can put the roof on, and your dog house will be complete!
You Can Check it Out to Protect Drywall from Dog
Conclusion
So there you have it – a simple article on how to make a dog house out of a plastic barrel. You need some basic carpentry skills, a few tools, and around an hour of your time. And the best part? This project won’t break the bank – most of the materials can be sourced for free or at a meager cost.
