Free woodworking plan

Classic Cedar Birdhouse

Difficulty: Beginner · Estimated time: about 3 hr of hands-on work, not counting glue and finish drying or cure time

A simple pitched-roof birdhouse from cedar fence boards — great outdoor first build.

Build a durable birdhouse with a clean-out side panel, ventilation, and drainage. Cedar resists weather without finish. Sized for chickadees/wrens (1-1/8" to 1-1/4" entrance). Safe, realistic cuts with a miter or circular saw; no exotic joinery.

Materials

• Cedar fence pickets — 3 @ 5/8" x 5-1/2" x 6' (Clearer grain preferred)
• Exterior screws — 30 @ 1-1/4"
• Exterior wood glue — 4 oz (Optional; screws alone work outdoors)
• Mounting screws — 2–4 exterior screws (To fix the back to a post or wall; a fixed mount is steadier than hanging)

Tools

• Tape measure and square
• Miter saw or circular saw
• Drill/driver with bits
• 1-1/8" or 1-1/4" spade/Forstner bit
• Safety glasses
• Clamps (optional)

Safety: Power tools and finishes can cause serious injury. Read and follow every tool and product manual, use guards and push sticks, wear eye and hearing protection, and work in a ventilated area. These plans are for general information; check measurements and your own skill before cutting. You build at your own risk, and Handy at Home is not liable for injury or damage. See the Terms.

Steps

1. Cut the panels

   From pickets cut: front and back 5-1/2" x 8" (peak later), two sides 4" x 5-1/2", floor 4" x 4", two roof panels about 5-1/2" x 7". Every part fits the 5-1/2" picket width, so no edge-gluing is needed. Label each part. Wear eye protection for every cut.

   • Keep the better face outward.
   • Support long pickets so they do not splinter at the end of the cut.

2. Shape the front and entrance

   Mark a centered peak on the front and back (about 60°). Cut the peaks. Drill the entrance hole 1-1/2"–2" down from the peak on the front only. Sand the hole smooth so birds are not cut by splinters.

   • Hole size matters: ~1-1/8" favors small songbirds and keeps starlings out.
   • Clamp scrap under the exit side of the bit to reduce tear-out.

3. Assemble walls and floor

   Screw sides to the floor, then attach front and back. Predrill near ends. Leave a 1/4" gap at the top of one side as a hinged clean-out: use two screws as pivots at the top and one removable screw at the bottom. Drill three 1/4" drainage holes in the floor and small vents under the roof line.

   • Never seal the box airtight — birds need airflow.
   • Do not add a perch; it helps predators more than residents.

4. Add the roof and mount

   Screw roof panels so they overhang all sides and shed water. Overlap the peak slightly. Screw the back firmly to a post or wall, 5–10 ft up, away from dense cover predators use. Do not hang it from a wire; a swinging box is rarely used by birds.

   • Skip film finishes on cedar; they peel outdoors.
   • Clean out old nests each fall after birds leave.

Always follow your tools’ safety instructions and wear eye protection. Free for personal use; please don’t resell or republish these plans.

© 2026 Handy at Home. Plan text and images are free for personal use only.