So here’s the deal, wooden dog houses have become a great way to keep your dog safe and happy outside. With the proper care, sealing, and insulation for dog houses, these structures will last a long time. What’s more, insulating your dog’s house is a great way to give your dog a space that’s comfortable all year round. In this blog, we want to give you some of the best ways to waterproof and insulate your wooden dog house. Do you want to know what the best part is? All of these finishing ideas can be done with virtually no experience!
What Is A Wooden Dog House?
You might be wondering, “What is a wooden dog house?” To be honest, there are a lot of answers that come to mind. The bottom line is this. A prefab dog house is an outdoor structure where your dog is provided shelter. However, let us explain the differences between a small dog house and a large dog house.
What is a Large Wooden Dog House?
A large wooden outdoor dog house is a place that allows your dog to have a luxurious outdoor experience no matter the weather. A well-built dog kennel will have a kennel run, a kennel box, and the ability to have features added on as desired. But here’s the kicker: an outdoor dog house like this can easily be created to match your home and customized to meet the needs and desires you want. There are a lot of manufacturers out there that have built quality residential and commercial dog kennels for sale.
What Are Small Wooden Dog Houses?
A small wooden dog house is more accurately described as a dog box. These structures are typically built to provide temporary shelter outdoors. Here is the bottom line with small dog houses. They can be a great fit if you have a small dog who enjoys being outside when you are home and needs some shade from time to time while outside. However, these structures do not do a great job of providing your dog with the ability to stay outside full-time.
Now, at their core, both large and small dog houses serve the purpose of sheltering your beloved pet. However, shelter is only part of the equation with a wooden dog house. The next step is correctly waterproofing your structure. When you have the waterproofing finished, the next step is insulation for dog houses.
How Do I Make My Wooden Dog House Waterproof?
The easiest way to waterproof your dog kennel is by using outdoor paint or a sealer on the wood. Simply put, waterproofing your dog house means that water can not penetrate the wood. Doesn’t that already sound less intimidating? (Okay, so maybe it doesn’t, but hear us out)! Essentially, to waterproof your dog house, you need to place a barrier that goes between the wood and the elements so that moisture can not cause the rotting process to begin. The most vital part of this process is making sure that the edges of the wood are painted or sealed as well.
How Do I Paint a Wooden Dog House?
Sealing the wood on your dog’s house can be done easily with paint. However, you need to make sure the paint that is used on your structure is rated for outdoor use. Using outdoor paint will help to ensure that your structure’s finish resists sun fading and is mildew resistant. Additionally, these paints offer a greater ability to handle prolonged exposure to the elements.
For some tips on how to paint a wood dog house, we have found this video really helpful in explaining the process.
What kind Of Stain Do I use On A Wooden Dog House?
So, let us be clear. Outdoor wood stain is not the same thing as finishing wood stain. Finishing wood stain is a great way to offer a high-quality finish to your indoor furniture. However, when you are sealing your wooden dog house, you want wood staining that is specially designed for decks, fences, and siding. This kind of stain will allow you to waterproof your wooden dog kennel in a natural wood appearance. However, you need to use it the same way you would spread the paint. All of the wood, including the edges, needs to be covered in the stain to give proper sealing.
To learn some great techniques for staining your wooden dog house, this video gives some great pointers.
How Do I Make My Wooden Dog House Water Tight?
To make something watertight means that there is no way for water or other liquids to get in easily. Think of a sinking boat that is not watertight. Now think of your house. Notice how when it rains, no water gets in your home? (Or at least it shouldn’t be). That means your home is watertight. No water is getting in. To make your backyard dog kennel watertight, there are a few things you can make sure are in place to ensure that it stays that way.
How do I know if My wooden Dog House is Constructed Well?
Can we be frank for a minute? Finding a quality builder is hard. That is oftentimes why dog kennels leak or don’t function as they should. At My Barnyard, we ensure every wooden dog house meets the rigorous requirements that we set.
A few items to look at on a wooden dog house to ensure that it is watertight are as follows:
- Siding that is flush, corner to corner
- Windows Installed properly (no gaps around the placement)
- Roofing that is properly overlapped
- Doors that Close Tight
How do I fill in the Gaps in my Wooden Dog House?
First things first, just because your wooden dog house does have gaps does not mean it was poorly constructed. A hard pill to swallow is that sometimes, as wood expands and contracts, gaps begin to appear. This allows water in and causes your structure to not be watertight as it had originally been designed. The best thing you can do is to fill those gaps. If you have a large gap, you may need to use a can of spray foam insulation. However, a small gap (like a possible split in the wood) may be easily filled with silicone caulking.
Insulation for Dog Houses
Prefab dog kennels are great choices for those looking for commercial dog kennels for starting a new business venture or for a backyard home for your pup. These structures are especially warm once they have been properly insulated. And here’s the kicker: insulating to give your dog even more comfort is really easy! There are two main ways that you can insulate your wooden dog house for added comfort. Those primary ways are wood chips and blankets.
Some dog kennel manufacturers offer insulation for dog houses as a custom option or as a standard feature! My Barnyard provides insulated dog kennels that will keep your dogs protected and warm this winter!
Are Wood Chips Good Insulation for Dog Houses?
Yes! Now here is the deal, wood chips are not the same thing as chipped wood. Chipped wood is known as mulch or tan bark. What we mean by wood chips is pine or cedar shavings. To give extra insulation for dog houses, we recommend placing a few inches of wood shavings on the floor of the interior. This will serve as bedding and insulation and is relatively affordable. A huge benefit of doing the wooden shaving method is that you can easily get rid of old, dirty shavings.
Are Blankets Okay Insulation for Dog Houses?
Yes, Blankets are a great way to give your dogs some added insulation for dog houses. However, they require more work than wood shavings. The reason they require more work is that the blankets in your dog’s home need to be regularly cleaned. Additionally, if your dog likes to chew on things, this option may not be the best, as ingesting fabric can be hazardous to their health. You shouldn’t use blankets with puppies or small dogs that could easily get tangled in the blankets.
So, Who Is Moving Out To the Dog House?
As you have learned, waterproofing and insulation for dog houses is easy. The real question is, when are you going to provide your dog with a comfortable space that is all their own? At My Barnyard, we specialize in creating high-quality buildings in Oregon and Washington. We look forward to making your dream come to life with a high-quality home for your dog. Give us a call or shop our available inventory.