I’m building a dog house and am at a point where I need to frame the roof, should I draw everything up and calculate where to make cuts or is there an easier/quicker way to do this? Appreciate any tips or tricks.
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Doghouse dormer, or actual dog house? Can you post a pic?
"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
If not a HUGE dog, simply screw or nail plywood to the walls, no framing needed.
Recently built a small doghouse with the grand-daughter, simply screwed pieces of plywood together.
I built a greek revival doghouse once. Architectural shingles etc. Must have weighed 500 lbs. (And all scavenged materials, even the shingles were surplus scrap).
Would definately go for lighter weight next time, but I did use up a pile of scraps.
>>"If not a HUGE dog, simply screw or nail plywood to the walls, no framing needed."
Absolutely -- it's called ruff framing ;-)
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
Oh man, that one was just unforgivable.
No, no no. If you want a well make dog house, you need to confer with an experienced barkitect.
Now that one is unforgivable ;-)
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
This hole discussion made me paws for a moment.
Makes me wanna barf.
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
if you don't know how to use a framing square just use a 2x4 for a ridge pole (the beam that goes down the center) with a 2x on each end holding it in place and use 2x4 for the rafters..
hold the first one up there and trace the angle you want, and then after cutting it, use it for a pattern to cut the rest of the rafters.
easy as pie! The whole ordeal will take about 35 min. tops
But of course if you wanna dig out the autocad then that works too
If not fwamed wight, the woof might leak. I think you should consult with a highly experienced builder of dog houses, maybe a veteran-arian.
I surrender.
:o)
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
House will be roughly 3' wide x 4' long x 3' high. I'm basing house after a Cape Cod style home with no dormers. Basically, square walls & triangle roof section.
Walls are already framed and just need to frame roof but don't know whether I want to place them directly on top of wall or notch them so they hang over a bit.
Guess I'll draw it in CAD to figure/calculate the angles and where to notch.
Ask the dog what he'd like.Actually, it isn't going to make much difference how you do it. You probably want SOME framing under the roof sheathing, but mostly you can figure it out on the fly. Though there's certainly no harm in using a CAD program.You want at least a little overhang, to keep water running off the roof from getting into the walls, but just letting the roof sheathing hang over a few inches should be sufficient -- no need for rafter tails (unless you like the look).
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
Sounds pretty elaborate. What kind of dog do you have? (a lucky dog in any event)
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
Maybe Mike's expecting to spend a lot of time there.
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
We built a doghouse once and shingled the sides as well as the roof. The husky, malamute and malamute/husky that lived therein chewed on the shingles when they got bored. So the structure looks a little, er, rustic. But it is weatherproof.
Barkitecture is the title of a very entertaining book, btw. See http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789203731/103-7523171-8388600?v=glance&n=283155
Barkitecture, is also the name of a show on the same subject on DIY channel. The wife and I watched an episode last evening. Must be nice to have that much thought into the mental-stability of pet owners. :)
Mike - ignore this if you know...
Do you have a framing square? Or a "speed square"?
If you frame your doghouse with what's called a 12/12 pitch (the ratio of rise to run), every angle will be 45 degrees (EASY CUTS)
If you have never cut rafters before, do a little google search on rafters and birdsmouth cuts, and you'll get the idea. 2x4's are adequate rafters for a 3'x4' doghouse.
The pythagorean theorum (remember geometry) will give you the rafter length, or read the book that comes with the framing square and learn how to transfer lengths up a rafter. A third method would be to cut the 45's at the top of the rafters, attach two at the top, then lay them against the doghouse and mark your 3' doghouse sides.
Good luck!
OK so that was a short and incomplete primer on framing a doghouse roof. I've been up too long...time for bed
Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
"If you have never cut rafters before, do a little google search on rafters and birdsmouth cuts, and you'll get the idea. 2x4's are adequate rafters for a 3'x4' doghouse"
I know you all are probably laughing at my questions but I'm not a carpenter by trade (appears most of you are) but am very handy. My first degree was in Engineering so I have AutoCAD on my computer and although I am familiar with geometry it is much easier to draw up then let computer calc everything.
Thanks for all your help, this site is excellent!
"Maybe Mike's expecting to spend a lot of time there."
No those days are over! It's for our English Cocker Spaniel. When done the house should look like a miniture Cape Cod style home minus any dormers. Will be insulated, shingled on sides & roof. If I ever get my digital camera fixed I will post pics when completed.
Edited 3/8/2006 10:10 am ET by Mike_S
Edited 3/8/2006 10:10 am ET by Mike_S
Mike,You said the walls are already built. How high are they?Let's say that you made them 2' high and you said they're 4' long.Take a sheat of plywood and draw a 3'x 3' square on it and come up each end 2' and then scribe in 3-1/2" for your 2x4 wall(assuming). Now if the top of your rafter is flush to the top of the outside of the plate scribe a straight line to the top center of the plywood which would be 1'6" and that's your rafter. Come down from that mark and scribe another line 3-1/2" all the way through and that's the bottom of your rafter with the notch and all. At the top plumbcut just come back 3/4" for a 2x ridge.You don't need any program at all,just your piece of plywood and your done. If you want an overhang raise the line up above the 2' high wall as much as you want and that will let your rafters stick past the wall for an overhang and it will also give you your birdsmouth. No programs, framing suqares, calculators to figure the rafters. Just use the framing square to mark them.Joe Carola
Walls are 3' high and I framed house out of 2x4s already...probably over kill but so is the insulation, wall & roof shingles. I've been too busy to spend any time on this so will get back to it until weekend (maybe). I have never used a framing square nor do I own one.
However, I did quickly search the internet for dog houses and found a site that says to make the template for the roof (similar to Framers idea) where I can use this to mark and cut the Trusses. Once I have one set cut and fitting I'll use them for the rest.
Think I have it licked and thank you for all the help, as well as, sarcastic dog remarks/references :)
My dog would not use my 500 lb greek revival doghouse. Really pizzed me off. Got a new pup. Wont go in either. It's got a big door. They would rather lay under the van and get greasy backs.
While I was framing the walls and hanging sides I tested her interest by tossing her in. Ran to other side of yard and watched me from there. She better use this thing!
Next time, try tossing a dog biscuit in instead.
"House will be roughly 3' wide x 4' long x 3' high. I'm basing house after a Cape Cod style home with no dormers. Basically, square walls & triangle roof section."Mike,That's what you said in one of posts. That's why in my first drawing I drew 3' to the top of the peak.You said this in your last post, "Walls are 3' high and I framed house out of 2x4s already"That's alright also. Just do the same thing I described in my first post using 3' up on each end of the plywood and then if you want come over 1'6" to the center and up to 4' and then draw your angle and that will be your rafters. Just draw your lines and hold a 2x4 to the lines and mark them and that's your rafters. No figuring out anything. No framing squares,cad programs speedsquares. Just a small straight edge.Joe Carola
I've built a LOT of dog houses, had a kennel at one time. The best style is shed-roof. Dogs can stand on it (they like that). Makes framing real simple. My design evolved into 2x2 framing to create double plywood walls with an airspace between (no real insulation for rodents). The roof was hinged, and had a prop-board, and a small gate hook holding it closed so that it wouldn't blow open in high winds. The floor was spaced off the ground with 2x4's. Everything was treated. No shingles to chew or get chains caught in. The doorway was trimmed in angle.
Those doghouses are 20 years old now, and are still in use and sound.
Hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree...
That's a pretty good tail.
This site is great, lots of good info from lots of experienced people...most sites regergitate (sp?) mostly garbage.
I thought of the hinged roof idea but am now thinking of just making it removable with a latch to hold it down. I want to run roof edges past walls so am not sure how much movement I'll get with a hinge unless I find an expensive one that lifts up and out and am not sure if it'll handle the weight.
Framer your picture is very close to what I'm doing, I'm going to make an effort to draw it up over weekend.
Yes, I ran the overhung the roof edges all four sides, and still used hinges -- that's the 'why' of the prop-board (which is simply a short 1 x 2 attached with a single lag, that folds inside along the "ceiling" when not in use). I know what you're saying though.
For a dog house, I usually make sure to hinge it so I can open it and change bedding easier than trying to crawl in.
Does not answer the question, just a suggestion to consider
A couple of things to think about, don't know if they will apply to you:
Heat - as in will it be too hot in the summer? Might want to think about using radient barrier OSB or just add a layer of foil faced foam under the plywood. If you put dark shingles on it, you've made a nice little solar oven for pochie. Also, watch your nail depth... possibly another good reason to put a layer of foam under the plywood... so that hair and skin don't catch on that low ceiling.
Kids - Yours, your neighbors, whatever. Hey, I remember the doghouse we had was great fun to climb on, in, over, and around. Build it so three friends can jump up and down on the peak without worry for the other three inside playing house.
Access - You might want to make the roof removable, or at least openable. If poochie gets sick and retreats to the den, can you fit through the door to pull him out again? Or can you reach in to retrieve that thing that he keeps taking to chew on that he shouldn't? How about getting out that possum he chased in there ;)
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!