How to Make a Secure Outdoor Pet House
Learn how to create a secure outdoor pet house for your kitty or pup by creating a sturdy structure then staining it with a FLEXiO 4000 paint sprayer.
Overview
We recently moved to the woods and in an effort to help keep the mice away, we are planning to snag an outdoor kitty or two. But with big predatory animals here too, we needed a way to create a secure and safe pet house for our future cat(s) to be able to go if needed. So, we created this really fun, modern, pet house that is perfect for cats or a small dog.
You will be able to find all of the details on my blog, but here is a materials list and a quick how-to-version plus a few tips and tricks so you can get started on creating your own pet shelter today!
Create pet house structure
I began by creating a 3D rectangle (with a slightly angled roof) using 2 x 4 boards. The overall size of this was about 24” long x 18” wide x 19”-22” tall.
The top side boards were cut at about a 7 degree angle on each end to create a sloped roof line.
Add floor
I used scrap boards to add extra support for the floor. Then I used 1 x 3 boards to create the flooring in the bottom of the frame. I intentionally left a small gap between the boards to that we could hose this house out easily. I attached them using a nail gun.
Add siding and spray with stain
Then I used a 2 x 4 to create a header for the house, and then I cut 1 x 3 boards to be attached vertically on the entire outside of the house as “siding.”
Again, there is an intentional gap between these boards to allow for air flow, light and easy cleanability.
Next, I used my FLEXiO 4000 to spray stain onto my pet house. I used the detail nozzle for this since I was using stain.
Clean up and let dry
I absolutely love using their plastic bags in the stain holder, it makes for such easy clean up! I sprayed two coats of stain and let it dry completely.
Make the roof
Then I cut my corrugated metal down to size for my roof using a metal cut off tool. And then I created a frame using 1 x 2 boards for it to sit on and go around it. This provides support and protection from any sharp metal edges.
I cut 1/4 x 2 trim boards to frame in the top of the metal, and then I painted all of the wood.
I assembled the roof together and attached it to the pet shelter using hinges.
Then I attached casters to the bottom of the pet shelter because we knew this would be heavy and we wanted to be able to easily move it around if needed.
Add pet door
Next, we cut angle iron the lengths of the corners of the pet shelter and screwed that in place.
And finally, we added our secure pet door in place!
Isn’t this just the cutest modern pet shelter ever!?
Let your pet enjoy their new home!
This sponsored post was created by Simply Designing. I am sharing even more details about why I used this paint sprayer, and what I love about it, plus cut lengths for every board and more detailed assembly instructions over on my blog Simply Designing.
Materials
Wagner FLEXiO 4000 Paint Sprayer
Wagner Studio Spray Tent
Compound Miter Saw
Clamp
Driver, Drill and Drill Bits
Metal Cut off tool, Air Nail Gun and Nails, Electric Sander, Kreg Jig and Screws
Strainer and Wagner Spray Liner Cups
Stain (we used Valspar Honey Gold, Semi-Transparent)
Wood Glue
Drop cloth
2" Swivel Casters
3" Hinges
Micro Chip Pet Door
RFID Tags
1" x 2" x 6' Fir Boards
1" x 2" x 8' Fir Boards
2" x 4" x 8' Framing Boards
1" x 3" x 8' Fir Boards
1" x 3" x 6' Fir Boards
1/4" x 2" x 8' Hemlock
2' x 8' Corrugated Metal
1/8" x 1.25" x 4' Angle Iron
3” screws
1/2” long screws
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