The lumber used for transport packaging is of excellent quality. Wooden containers are used in everyday life, for the construction of furniture, interior items, as well as fences. A homely owner can make a kennel for a dog from pallets with his own hands. The product will turn out to be durable, environmentally friendly and with a long service life.
Optimal dimensions of the booth and manhole
When building a pen for a large animal, pallets do not even have to be sawed. However, it is not worthwhile to engage in the manufacture of housing for a pet "by eye".
Sizes of rocks for making an aviary:
- dachshund, pug, etc. - 70x55x60 cm;
- rottweiler, bulldog - 115x75x80 cm;
- great dane, shepherd dog, mastiff - 135x100x95.
However, you should focus on the actual size, since the dog can be a mixed breed. It is necessary to take measurements from the dog using the following parameters:
- Depth - length in the supine position and with outstretched legs +15 cm.
- Width - height at withers + 10 cm.
- Manhole height - growth from the tips of the paws to the ears in a standing position.
- The width of the opening is the girth of the chest divided by 3.14.
- Aviary height - height at the withers + 10 cm.
Transfer the resulting dimensions to paper to create a project. The scheme allows you to make an estimate of materials and determine the budget.
Pallet aviary project
In the second case, the pallets are used in full condition. Such a product turns out to be warm and solid. Pallets are pasted over with polystyrene and sewn up with OSB. For the construction of walls, you can take the whole pallet or just the frames.
The approximate cost of materials for the construction of the booth is 1200-1700 rubles.
How to calculate materials
When building an enclosure from pallets according to the panel scheme, one piece and five meters of timber with a cross section of 4x4 cm is enough for the frame. 2 sheets of plywood or OSB 2 m long are selected as cladding.
The frame construction of a kennel requires the following amount of materials:
- pallets - 3-4 pcs.;
- timber with a section of 40x40 mm - 2.5 m;
- PVC film - 5 m2;
- rail with a section of 20x30 mm - 7 m.
The last point is necessary to seal the gaps and fix the thermal insulation. Additionally, you will need to choose a roof covering, natural insulation, corrugated board (1 sheet) and carpentry equipment. As tools, you will need wood screws 25-75 mm, a hacksaw for metal.
Tools and materials
Before making a doghouse, in addition to pallets in the amount of 5-6 pieces, you also need a construction tool. The indicated number of pallets is suitable for the construction of a kennel for a medium or large individual.
Equipment for making an aviary:
- electric jigsaw with a nozzle for cutting wood;
- circular;
- grinder with a set of sandpaper of different grain size;
- electric drill with brush attachment;
- screwdriver and a set of screwdrivers;
- joiner's square, tape measure;
- stubs, clamps and self-tapping screws.
For insulation, foam, expanded polystyrene and film vapor barrier are suitable. The roof can be made with one or two slopes. Use corrugated board or shingles as a covering.
How to choose pallets
The main condition for making a do-it-yourself pallet booth is to take material that has not been in operation or has minor damage. It is recommended to choose products with a service life of less than 2 years. Give preference to clean wood without traces of paintwork, grease and putty. Before use, burn and sand the pallets with coarse sandpaper.
Do not use pallets in which fertilizers, poisons and chemicals were transported. Such products can provoke an allergic reaction in the dog. Better to purchase materials from food.
Insulation selection
Safe, from the point of view of animal health, is expanded polystyrene for insulation. Mineral wool is not recommended to be used, since there is a risk of damage to the walls and ingress of particles into the enclosure. This can cause allergic rashes on the animal's skin. Nevertheless, mineral wool has undeniable advantages - high-quality thermal insulation and a high level of air exchange.
If electric heating is made in the kennel, the animal, leaving it, will undergo a sharp change in temperature. This causes frequent colds, out-of-season shedding and hair loss due to dry air.
Using mineral wool as insulation, carefully seal up the walls in the structure.
Technology of building a warm shed from pallets
The instructions use materials with dimensions - 1.2 x 0.8 m. The quantity depends on the project and the parameters of the animal. In this case, you will need 8 pcs.
Floor
Flip the pallets down, placing them on the protruding rails. Fill the space between the supports with boards so that you get a flat platform. Fix the foam or polystyrene sheets on top and sew up with plywood.
Walls
In the corners of a solid floor structure, fill a 40x40 mm bar or frame elements. The length should be equal to the height of the enclosure. Sew up the spans with materials for insulation - the thickness depends on the width of the corner beam. Place the elements in the wood mesh frame. If the construction is carried out in a region with a warm climate, it is enough to sheathe the booth with OSB sheets. Do not forget to make a hole for the manhole while working.
The materials used for the walls are resistant to moisture, but it is better to open them with varnish or paint. Additional protection will increase the life of the product. Additionally, the kennel can be covered with corrugated board.
Laz
The presence of the door allows the animal to enter its home without obstacles, effectively protecting the territory. In this case, the hole must be spacious in order to jump out in time and stop the intruder.
Calculation of the size of the manhole - the width of the dog's sternum + 4 cm, its height + 5 cm.
There are several options for shapes: rectangle, square, oval. Consideration should be given to the location, since if the hole is made too high or low, it will be inconvenient for the pet to use the housing. Cut a hole in the center of the wall to keep precipitation and wind out of the building. Traditionally, the entrance is made closer to the side ceiling, taking away one corner for shelter from drafts.
If the pet is still small and already lives on the street, then the entrance to the kennel should immediately be made as large as possible. If you ignore this rule, after six months the dog will spend the night on the ground, since it will not be able to enter the kennel.
Roof
The installation of the roof completes the assembly. The roof for the aviary can be made flat from one sheet of OSB. On the inside, fix the insulation, PVC film and sheathe it with a bar. It is recommended to build the upper part of the kennel without slopes. Removable or hinged construction will allow you to clean your pet's home, change the litter and carry out minor repairs.
For a pitched or gable roof, use corrugated board or ceramic tiles as roofing material. This approach will extend the life of the wooden elements and give the structure an original look. However, such roofs are endowed with disadvantages.On the one hand, the living space increases, and on the other, in winter, heat will rise and drafts will appear.
Bituminous roof shingles are a practical material with light weight. When working with it, the risk of injury is significantly lower than with ceramic products.
Dog booth windows
Arranging windows in a doghouse made of pallets with your own hands seems like an overkill. However, such viewing holes have several advantages:
- aesthetic appearance;
- the animal quickly adapts to new housing and feels comfortable;
- the dog is able to observe the yard without going outside;
- an additional light source that a dog needs as much as a person.
Installing a window is a simple procedure. Choose a location so that it illuminates the pet's home as much as possible. Otherwise, these works are impractical to carry out. An ordinary piece of glass is not suitable as a material - it is better to order a single-chamber double-glazed unit. This is due to the fact that the dog will not be able to break it, and the kennel will always be warm and light.
