DIY Network

Doggie Window Seat From "Barkitecture" episode DBAR-207

These little Yorkshire terriers do not need a doghouse because they stay indoors all day. However, they do love to look out the window. What these pups need is a window seat!

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

Materials:

1 5'x5' sheet of 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood (or other furniture-grade ply)
decorative wood trim
decorative wooden pieces
tape measure
pencil
table saw
chop saw
electric screwdriver/drill
jigsaw
wood glue
pneumatic brad nailer
compressor
nail punch (w/ 5/8" nails)
wood filler
self-adhesive wood veneer
veneer edge trimmer
utility knife
wood stain
brushes or rags
gilding paste

Doggie Window Seat

1. First, begin by cutting out the sides for the step lounge out of a piece of 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood (figure A). Cut two pieces 10"x21".

2. Mark the following riser/side panel dimensions on one piece of the plywood: from the bottom left corner go up five inches, run 10-1/2" inches, and then go up five inches. Clamp both 10"x21" pieces together and cut them out with a jigsaw following the riser layout you just created (figure B).

3. Cut one piece of 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood to the following dimensions: 1 at 30"x10", another at 5"x30" and the last at one 3/4"x30". These pieces will be used as the treads and the kick plate for the step lounge.

4. Use scrap wood to create 3/4"x 3/4"x10" cleats for assembly of the lounge. Cut four cleats.

5. Glue and nail the cleats 3/4" down from the 10" runs on the inside of both side panel pieces (figure C).

6. Place glue on the top of the cleats (figure D) and lay the 30"x10" treads between the side assemblies and on top of the cleats. Use a nail gun to fasten with pin nails.

7. Cut four more cleats two to 5" long and two to 1-3/4" long. Attach the 5" cleats with glue and nails to the inner walls of the side risers 3/4" back from the front step. Then attach the 5"x30" kick plate piece to the cleats. The two shorter cleats will be used below the top step of the lounge. Set the cleats back 3/4", on the sidewalls, from the front of the step and attach (figure E). Next, attach the top 1-3/4" kick plate to the cleats with glue and nails.

8. Once the step is assembled use wood putty to fill all the holes left by the nails used during assembly. Apply the putty with your finger making sure to fill each hole and smooth the excess away. Once the putty is dry, use a fine grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish.

9. Now, cover the edges of the plywood with self-adhesive veneer. Start by running it evenly from back to front along the exposed plywood edges along the top and in front (figure F). Use a utility knife to trim off the excess pieces to give it a nice tight fit. After it is all applied, use a veneer-cutting tool to run along the sides and clean up anything that was left as overhang on the side.

10. Use a decorative wood trim along the bottom of the base. Make 45-degree miter cuts at each end so the trim pieces fit together nicely. Measure and cut pieces accordingly. Once that is finished, apply a 21" piece of 1" trim aligned with the front of the top step covering the exposed edge pf the plywood. Attach it all using glue and pin nails (figure G).

11. Finish and seal the step lounge with your choice of wood stain (figure H). Once it is finished drying you can decorate and attach finish appliques as desired (figure I).

12. The pooches will love this (figure J)!