DIY Network

Constructing the Doghouse From "Barkitecture" episode DBAR-104

Today is the big day for Tyson. He is leaving the animal shelter and going to his new home. It's time for Kenny to build the doghouse replica of the England home.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H
	Figure I
	Figure J

Constructing the Doghouse

1. Build your floor with pressure treated 2x4's cut to size for the frame. After they are cut and connected, you can attach the plywood floor by screwing it down (figure A).

2 @ 48"
2 @ 44 1/2"
1 @ 48" squared (plywood for the floor)

2. Frame the walls with 2x4's by making these following cuts (figure B).

• For the front and back wall, you will need 4 @ 41"
  For the side walls, you will need 4 @ 48"
  For support in between the walls, you will need 14 @ 27"
  The doorway studs will need to be 2 @ 25-1/4
  You will need 1 doorway header @ 20"

3. For the walls, cover all sides with plywood. Cut to size (figure C).

4. For the roof trusses, the assembly is very simple if you have the cut list (figure D). Here is what you will need.

• 6 @ 46" with 45 degree angles mitre cut on each side. That will allow these to fit together at the top as well as with the 3 54" bases and 3 @ 52" with 45 degree angles. You will need them to be 4" longer than the house frame to get a 2" overhang on both sides. 2 plywood triangles cut at 54" at the base made with 45 degree cuts all the way to the top corner.

5. For covering the room after the trusses are in place, you will need 2 pieces of plywood (figure E). One needs to be cut to 54"x 48" while the other needs to be cut a 1/2" inch longer (54"x 48-1/2") so it can overlap at the top of the structure.

6. Roll out your tarpaper and cut it to size with a utility knife. Cover the entire roof area with tarpaper (figure F). After it is nailed down with roofing nails, you can start adding the shingles (figure G). Always remember when applying shingles you want to start from the bottom and work your way up. That way the top is always overlapping the one underneath. Also, make sure to stagger your seams. By doing those two things, you can better prevent leaking and it also looks a lot better. When starting the shingles, place the first shingles on the roof and nail into place using shingle nails on the top part of the shingle only. The nails will be covered by the next row of shingles installed. For the top crest of the roof, cover it with drop (leftover) shingles that will straddle the crest of the roof. Then, nail into place.

7. Siding installation - Attach the starter strip at the bottom of the house and screw into place. Attach the "J" channels on the sides of the house so the siding can slide into them. Start at the bottom working your way up. Make sure not to screw each piece in too tight because when the weather changes it can cause the wood to expand and contract. After all walls are covered, you can then attach the corner pieces that will finish off the siding (figure H).

8. For the faux brick front, start with a 4x8 sheet bought at a home store. Cut it to size to fit the front of your house (figure I). Attaching the brick is quite simple; just apply construction adhesive and finish using a finish nailer with some 3/4 inch finish nails.

9. Use a reciprocating saw to cut out the door between the studs on the front wall (figure J). To get started with with the saw you’ll need to make some holes in the corners of the door with a drill bit that is at least big enough for your saw blade to get through. That will be 17" in from either corner and up to 25-1/4" from the floor.

10. Finally, it is time to add decorative trim (figure K). Using pine shelving, cut out a triangle. The size of this triangle is purely a personal choice. Then to add some flare, use a paintcan or other small round object to mark a circle at the crest of the triangle. Cut the marked circle out with a jigsaw. Once the piece is done, use decorative trim as desired and attach to the top of the doorway using a finish nailer. Paint as desired.

11. The finished doghouse looks like a mini-replica of the England family home (figure L)!

Figure K

Figure L

RESOURCES :

Young-Williams Animal Center
Website: www.knoxpets.org

The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Website: www.aspca.org

Petfinder.com
Website: www.petfinder.com