How to create a simple birdhouse
One for the birds – It’s easy to create this simple birdhouse from picket fencing and a ceramic teapot.
You will need:
- 3 x 1.2m picket fence palings
- Teapot
- 40mm flat-head galvanised nails, exterior construction glue, large brass cup hook, pencil, sandpaper, saw, tape measure, hammer, and paintbrush
- Resene Quick Dry
- Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Tranquil
To get the look: Mark painted the background fence with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Eternity.
Here's another idea: Block the spout with a piece of sphagnum moss or coir and use as a bird feeder instead.
Instructions
Step 1Measure and mark three 200mm pieces from the bottom of the fence palings, as shown.
Step 2Carefully cut using pencil lines as a guide.
Step 3Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.
Step 4Measure, mark and cut two pieces of fence paling to fit across the previous three, as shown. Fix with construction glue and nails.
Step 5Create a second piece, as shown, using three lengths of fence paling measuring 170mm. Again, fix with construction glue and nails.
Step 6Measure, mark and cut three lengths of fence paling (from the top) measuring 570mm. Attach the other two pieces into position, as shown, using construction glue and nails.
Step 7Measure, mark and cut two small pieces of fence paling and fix in position, as shown, with construction glue. Allow glue to dry.
Step 9Apply two coats of Resene Tranquil to the birdhouse, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.
Step 10Hang the teapot from the cup hook and fix at the base with construction glue. Allow glue to dry.