Dog Kennel

When looking for a dog kennel I was overwhelmed with the different designs and price ranges available online. So, I decided to build my own using what materials I had at the time.

Here is an instructable to build your very own dog kennel.

Tools for the build:

• Drill
• Twist drill-bits to suit screw diameters
• Countersink drill-bit
• Paintbrushes (small and large)
• Pencil
• Carpenters square
• Tape-measure
• Hammer
• Handsaw
• Saw horses

To build the framework:

• 3x2 CLS timber
• OSB board
• Plywood
• PVCu cladding panels
• Self-tapping wood screws

To clad the framework:

• Feather Edge Fence Boards
• 20L tin of external wood paint
• Lost-head nails
• Wood filler

Set out the OSB board, then place your timber sole plate around the perimeter, leaving space for the door opening. Then, using a twist drill bit, drill the screw holes and fix the sole plate to the OSB using screws.

Measure and cut the four corner posts for the frame. Cut the required angle off the tops of the posts to allow for the roof to sit flush from front to back. Fix the posts into the sole plates using the method above, but fixing the screws at an angle. I countersunk the screw holes using a countersink drill bit to prevent the screw heads from sticking out.

Measure and cut the studs either side of the entrance, and the rear central vertical stud. Fix into the sole plates as described above.

Measure and cut the noggings. I used noggings at the mid-points between each stud except the entrance, and at the top of the front and back to support the roof. Fix the noggings as described above, and check the overall dimensions of the frame are correct. If not, adjust the length of the noggings and re-fix. Double-check the overall dimensions again and adjust if necessary.

Measure and cut two strips of external ply board, fixing to the top noggings with screws, one at the eaves and one at the ridge. This will provide a fixing point and support the roof covering.

Measure the width of the roof, making an allowance for overhang either side.

Then measure the length of the roof, making an allowance for overhang at the front and back.

Calculate the number of panels needed to cover the roof using the above measurements.

Check the lengths of the panels are the same. Cut any oversized panels using a saw.

Connect the panels together and lift onto the frame. Fix the top and bottom panels into the ply wood underneath using screws fitted with plastic screw caps.

Measure and cut the first row of cladding boards to the perimeter of the frame, leaving space for the entrance. Then nail the boards to the frame.

I oversailed the front and back boards so the side boards abutted into them creating a tight fit at the corners.

Repeat the above process for the row of boards at the eaves.

Measure the distance between the first row and eaves row, and from this measurement, calculate the remaining number of rows of cladding needed allowing for a good headlap.

Start fixing each row, checking every three or four rows that the height is equal from base to the height of the current row, all the way around. Don't worry if you are slightly out, you can gradually make up the difference in height in the next rows.

Using exterior wood paint, apply the first coat thoroughly.

Use a range of brush sizes - large sizes for the cladding panels, and smaller sizes for covering the detailing in the corners.

Coat the ends and undersides of all cladding panels, as well as the entrance jambs.

Let the first coat dry for the recommended drying time stated on the paint container. Then repeat the process above for the second coat.

Apply as many coats as recommended on the paint container following the above process.

Here are a few pointers and how to get over them:

• The roof overhang at the front is too small.
  • Remeasure the length of the roof and add additional roof panels, then fix using screws.
    • DO NOT drill holes in a new panel - rearrange the panels so that the panels with screw holes are always at the top and bottom of the roof. Drilling more holes creates more weak points where water can get in.
• The base board is mouldy after it has rained.
  • Make sure there is a good amount of space underneath the board for ventilation. Increase the space if necessary.
  • Check the corners of the cladding on the external face are abutting into each other tightly. Purchase, decorate and nail corner angles to each corner, covering where the cladding panels abut into each other.
  • The mould will go eventually if there is sufficient ventilation and sunny weather allowing it to dry out.
• There are knots in the cladding panels.
  • Purchase wood filler and use a putty knife (metal spatula) to fill any holes and cracks in the cladding panels.