Build a Flat Roof Birdhouse

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Project Overview

The Flat Roof Birdhouse is a project you can build within a couple hours.

Build this with a wood of your choice, such as Cedar, Pine or Exterior Grade Plywood.

The back door swings up to allow for easier cleaning. Install a small eye screw or a decorative knob at the bottom of the door to make a small handle.

The inside of the birdhouse should have grooves or a mesh screen added under the entrance hole to make it easier for the birds to grab and exit.

When you are done assembling it, you can paint it with exterior grade paint if you wish to make it last longer. Do not paint the inside of the house.

Mount it to a post using a couple small angle brackets or attach a small chain to the roof to hang it from a tree or hook.

Parts List

Front View

Back View

Part “B” – Side Wall

Part “D” – Back Door

Assembly

Below are suggested assembly instructions. Of course, you can cut out and assemble this however you wish.

Step 1

Cut out the parts according to the parts lists above. Chamfer the edges of Part “A – Top/Bottom” to give it a little character.

Step 2

Cut out the entrance hole on Part “C – Front Wall” using a 1-1/2″ (38 mm) diameter hole saw (Paid Link) or Forstner Bit (Paid Link). I like the use the hole saw because the kids can use the scrap piece as wheels for their own projects. The hole should be approximately 5″ (127 mm) from the floor of the birdhouse.

Step 3

Drill 5/16″ (8 mm) diameter holes 1″ (25.4 mm) deep into the side of Part “D – Back Door”, centered in the thickness of the door and 3/8″ (9.5 mm) from the top of the back door. Round off the bottom of the wall with a file or router bit; this will be on the inside of the birdhouse to all the back door to open. Attach a small eye screw near the bottom center of the door. This will be your handle to open and close the door.

Step 4

Drill 5/16″ (8 mm) diameter holes through the top back of Part “B – Sides”. Pay attention to what is the top of the wall (I goofed on one birdhouse and drilled the hole from the back rather than the top and the door came out slanted). Glue the dowel into the hole with water proof glue. This will act as the hinge for the back door.

Step 5

Assemble the sides, front and back walls. Use wood screws to attach the front and side walls. Do not use screws on the back door. Test the door to make sure it operates freely; sand or file down where necessary for a smooth operation. There will be a slight gap at the top of the back wall; this is to allow the door to open and close without hitting the underside of the roof.

Step 6

Attach the top and bottom with wood screws into the front and side walls. Do not screw into the back wall. I like to place the walls where they need to be, but on the opposite side where they are to be installed, and trace the outline so I know exactly where the screws will go. Drill a drainage hole approximately 1/4″ (6 mm) diameter in the bottom of the birdhouse to prevent water from building up inside. Test the operation of the door once again and sand or file down the tight areas where needed.

Options

There are countless number of ways to change up the design of this birdhouse, including how you assemble the door. For example, if you don’t want to use dowels, you can omit the drilling of holes and use nails as the hinges instead. I have used screws and actual small hinges on other birdhouses as well.

The front of the birdhouse can be set back 1/4″ (6 mm) or so to add some depth to the design.

You can omit the chamfers on the top and bottom parts to make them more square.

You may even consider adding some trim pieces around the entrance hole to make the entrance square, rather than circular.

Although not necessary, you can add a perch made from a wood dowel or a decorative knob or other hardware.