Large Dog House with Porch Plans

If you want to learn more about how to build a large dog house you have to take a close look over the free plans in the article. The actual dog house is 4 ft x 4 ft, while the porch area is 4 ft x 4 ft. This pet shelter is built on 2×4 wall framing and it features a roof made with shingles. The exterior wall panels are made of 1/2″ plywood.

If you want to get the job done in a professional manner, we recommend you to plan everything with attention, as to prevent costly mistakes and to build a professional garden project. Invest in high quality materials, such as cedar, pine or redwood, as the bench will be exposed to all kinds of weather. Apply a few coats of paint over the components, to enhance their appearance and to protect them from bad weather.

Dog House with Porch – Free DIY Plans

Building-a-dog-house

Materials

• 1 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft long, 2 pieces – 45″ long, 1 piece – 93″ long FLOOR FRAME
• 2 – 17 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 48″ long FLOOR
• 3 – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 32 3/4″ long, 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 48″ long PORCH
• 4 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 48″ long, 3 pieces – 31 1/4″ long 2xSIDE WALLS
• 5 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 41″ long, 3 pieces – 31 1/4″ long BACK WALL
• 6 – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 41″ long, 1 piece – 23 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 32 3/4″ long, 2 pieces – 31 1/4″ long FRONT WALL
• 7 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 48″ long RIDGE BEAM
• 8 – 6 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 60 1/4″ long RAFTERS
• 9 – 2 pieces of 1/2″ plywood – 48″x60 1/2″ long ROOF
• 10 – 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 49″ long, 4 pieces – 61 1/4″ long ROOF TRIMS
• 11 – 2 pieces of 1/2″ plywood – 48″x51 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 36″x48″ long, 1 piece – 48″x49 1/4″ long PANELS
• 12 – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 29 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 19″ long DOOR TRIMS
• 13 – 50 pieces of tar paper, 50 sq ft of asphalt shingles ROOFING

• 1 piece of 4×4 lumber – 6 ft
• 20 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 3 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 12 ft
• 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 8 ft
• 9 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 5 pieces of 1/2″ plywood – 4’x8′
• 50 pieces of tar paper, 50 sq ft of asphalt shingles
• 300 pieces 1 5/8″ screws
• 50 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• 300 pieces of 3 1/2″ screws
• 2″ nails
• wood glue, stain/paint

Tools

• Hammer, Tape measure, Carpentry square
• Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander, Router
• Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses, Respiratory Mask

Time

• One week

How to build a large dog house

Assembling-the-floor-frame

The first step of the project is to build the floor frame for the dog house. As you can see in the diagram, you need to cut all components and then lay them on a level surface. Drill pilot holes through the sides and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the 45″ long components. Fit the middle components with 3 1/2″ screws, as well. Align the edges flush and make sure the corners are square.

Floor slats

Fit the 1×4 boards to the floor frame. Align the edges and fit a nail between the boards or you could just secure one next to the other. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws to lock the boards into place tightly.

Back wall frame

The next step of the project is to assemble the wall frames for the large dog house. Therefore, cut the elements from 2×4 boards, as shown in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the studs. Check if the edges are flush and if the corners are square.

Side-wall-frames

Assemble the side wall frames, in the same manner described above.

Front wall frame

Build the front wall for the dog house with porch. Notice the opening to the front wall. You can adjust the opening to suit your needs.

Assembling the frame of the dog house

Fit the four wall frames to the floor of the dog house. Align the edges flush, drill pilot holes through the bottom plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock it into place tightly. In addition, you need to lock the adjacent walls together tightly by inserting the 3 1/2″ screws.

Fitting the ridge beam

Use 2×4 lumber for the ridge beam and its supports. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the supports and secure them into place with 2 1/2″ screws. Install the 2×4 ridge beam and lock it into place with 2 1/2″ screws.

Fitting the posts

Use 4×4 lumber for the porch posts. Secure them into place with 3 1/2″ screws, after drilling pilot holes at angle. Fit the 2×4 board to the top of the posts, using 2 1/2 screws. Plumb the posts with a spirit level.

Front wall panel

Use 1/2″ plywood for the exterior panels. Make a cut out around the front opening. Attach the panel into place with 2″ nails.

Back wall panel

Fit the panel to the back of the large dog house. Make the notches to the top of the panel, so you can fit the rafters into place. Align the edges flush and insert 2″ nails to secure the panels to the frame of the back wall.

We need to build the rafters from 2×4 lumber. Mark the cut lines on the boards and get the job done with a saw. Make a 19 degree cut to one end of the rafters.

Fitting-the-roof-rafters

Fit the rafters to the top of the dog house. Place the rafters equally spaced and lock them into place with 3 1/2″ screws, after drilling pilot holes.

Fitting the side panels

Use 1/2″ plywood for the side panels. Cut the plywood panels at the right dimensions described in the diagram and secure them to the frame with 2″ nails.

Door opening trims

Use 1×2 lumber for the door trims. Secure them into place with 2″ nails and glue.

Roof sheets

Use 1/2″ plywood for the roof sheets. Cut the sheets at 48″x60 1/2″ and attach them to the rafters, aligning the edges flush. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws to secure the panels to the rafters.

Roof trims

Fit the 1×6 trims to the front and back of the dog house. Align the edges and insert 2″ nails to secure them to the rafters.

Side roof trims

Cut and fit the trims to the sides of the dog house.

Fitting the roofing for the dog house

Cover the roof of the dog house with tar paper and install asphalt shingles.

Dog house with porch plans

This is a lager dog house that features a 4’x4′ shelter area and 4’x4′ area for the porch. This outdoor dog house has a gable roof and it is really sturdy.

Dog house with porch plans – side view

Since you are here, you might as well take a look over my other dog house plans.

Dog house with porch plans – back view

Last but not least, you need to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood putty and smooth the surface with 120-220 grit sandpaper. Apply a few coats of paint / stain to enhance the look of the fog house and to protect the components from the elements.

Thank you for reading this article on how to build a large dog house with porch. If you enjoy the plans, please consider sharing them with your friends. Spreading out the word about my website goes a long way for me. Also consider taking a look over my other project plans, because I have a large variety of designs you can choose from.