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How to Build Rustic Birdhouses

Building a rustic birdhouse can be rewarding in many ways. First, the construction of a birdhouse lends itself to the feeling of accomplishment. Second, the birdhouse benefits the environment and provides hours of pleasure. Birds are often like people--they prefer the beauty of old, weathered wood. This type of wood is readily available at a sawmill scrap pile or lumberyard; it's rough lumber---wood with the bark still on it. It comes in all sizes. Pick a handful of strips of varying lengths and widths. You don't need anything over 8 inches wide. If there is no rough lumber available, ask for salvage, barn, stressed or weathered lumber. It works just fine and the birds in your area will love it.

Things You'll Need

10 linear feet 8-by-1-inch rough lumber
Hand saw or power miter saw
25 2-inch wood screws
Hole saw, 2-inch diameter
Wood rasp

Instructions

- 1
  Cut one piece of wood that is relatively clean on both sides to 8 inches wide by 12 inches tall---this will be your back. Cut two pieces 6 inches wide by 12 inches tall for the sides. Using a miter saw or hand saw, cut a 20-degree slope on the top of each piece, making sure to do a left and right because the bark, or rough side, should be on the outside of each piece.
- 2
  Measure from the high point of your miter cutdown and cut both sides off square at 10 inches. Cut your back piece at 10 inches square on both ends. Stand both end pieces on their edge with the long end of the miter facing up and lay the back on, flushing it with the sides. Screw it on.
- 3
  Turn it over and measure from the short end of the miter to the bottom. Cut another 8-inch piece that length; this is your front. Measure down 2 inches from the front, and cut a 2-inch hole, using a hole saw. Screw on the front flushing it with the low point of the 20-degree miter. Measure the square hole at the bottom, cut a piece that size drill a few small holes in the bottom to let out any water, and screw it on from all four sides.
- 4
  Cut the lid 10 by 10 inches wide to provide overhang to keep out water. Lay that on top of the birdhouse flush with the back. Use a wood rasp to bevel the edge of the front above the hole, and on the top of the back so that the top of the lid fits flat all the way around the 20-degree bevel. Use the rasp to bevel the back edge of the lid to facilitate opening the lid after it is mounted to the tree.
- 5
  Screw the barn door hinge to the back of the birdhouse, put the top on and screw the hinge to the top of the door. Select your location outdoors. Open the top of the birdhouse, reach in with the screw gun and screw the birdhouse to the tree or post you have selected and close the lid.

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