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How To Build A Rustic Birdhouse

Do y’all remember the Potting Table tutorial using old porch posts as legs? Do you remember that we cut the post legs off get the correct height? Well, guess what I did with the left over scraps? Yep! I built a Birdhouse or two!

Okay, I guess that was a little obvious!! So today, I’m sharing How to Build Birdhouses using scrap materials that were left over from the previous project! I’ve been determined to find a use for those leftover posts because you know that “I’m a waste not kind of girl”! This DIY birdhouse is for decorative purposes and will be perfect decor for the greenhouse.

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How To Build Birdhouses

First, I had the two scrap posts left over from the potting table. In addition, I previously dug some old roof material out of a trash pile that we found on our property. I didn’t know what to do with it at the time, however, I knew at some point it would come in handy. So here is how to build birdhouses using the scrap materials.

Gather Supplies To Make DIY Birdhouse

Let’s begin by gathering these simple supplies to build your rustic birdhouse.

  • Scrap Porch posts
  • Rusty tin
  • Nails

If you missed the potting table details, you can click here.

Scrap materials for How to Build birdhouse

Step 1 – Cut the Metal for the Roof

The first thing we did was cut the roof material using some old tin we had been saving for just such a project. Begin by measuring to get an estimate of the roof proportions based on the size of your posts. Once you determine the size for the roof, use a table saw with a metal cutting blade, to cut the tin to the desired proportions.

Cut tin for metal roofs

Step 2 – Bend the Metal

Then you will want to bend the metal to form a roof for the DIY Birdhouse.

We found that bending metal into a V shape isn’t as easy as it looks? Therefore, it may be necessary to score the metal or clip the edges. As a result, the metal should bend along a relatively straight line. I placed the bent metal on the posts to assure that the proportions were correct for our rustic birdhouses.

How to Build DIY Birdhouse

Step 3 – Cut A Line Roof For DIY Birdhouse

Next, cut the top of your posts to form an A line roof. To determine the angle, use the metal roof as a guide and draw a line. Since the metal was difficult to bend evenly, measure and mark each one separately as the angle may be different for each one.

Finally, follow the angle drawn and use a chop saw to remove the corners from the top section of the scrap post.

tutorial for easy DIY birdhouse
How to Make Birdhouses

Step 4 – Drill the holes for the birdhouse

Although these birdhouses are for decorative purposes only, I want an authentic appearance.

Therefore, to achieve authenticity, drill a hole in the center of the post at desired height. You will need a hand held drill and a drill bit the desired size of the hole.

Drill hole for bird house

Afterwards, you will drill a small pilot hole just below the larger hole for your birds perch.

Here we used some vintage nails that were pulled from reclaimed ship lap boards, however you can use a small dowel rod, nail or any items of your choice.

Make perch for DIY birdhouse

Step Five – Attach the roof

Finally, it’s time to attach the roof to your DIY Birdhouse.

First, you should drill a small pilot hole in the metal where it will be attached to the birdhouse. As a result, the nail can be easily hammered through the metal and into the wood of the birdhouse.

How to build birdhouse

Ta-DA – A Rustic DIY Bird House

What do you think of this trash to treasure, rustic, how to build birdhouses project?

Cute Rustic Birdhouse built from scrap materials

The DIY bird houses are perfect decor for the potting bench or the greenhouse.

How to build birdhouses from scrap materials

Click Image for Sources

In addition, I will probably be using them to style the DIY Greenhouse for fall. If you’d like to see how we built a greenhouse, click here.

DIY Rustic Birdhouse

My husband and I were able to build both birdhouses in approximately an hour and all the materials were Free. As a result, I am thrilled with how they look. I hope you are too.

How to Build birdhouses

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How to build a rustic birdhouse using scrape materials.  Step by step instructions to making these cute decorative DIY birdhouses.  Garden and Greenhouse project.

Debbie

Sunday 10th of July 2022

Love them, great job

Rachel

Sunday 10th of July 2022

Debbie, I'm so glad you like them.

Stacy

Tuesday 5th of July 2022

I love how it turned out! So fun!

Rachel

Wednesday 6th of July 2022

Stacy, I really appreciate this.

Renae

Tuesday 5th of July 2022

Super cute! W love them. Hugs to you.

Rachel

Wednesday 6th of July 2022

Renae, I'm so glad you liked these.

Miche Ortega

Friday 7th of August 2020

Those are PRECIOUS! I am new to your blog, so I can't wait to go back and catch up. I can tell you have a lot of energy and inspiration. Thanks so much.

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Friday 7th of August 2020

Miche, Thank you so much for these sweet comments. I appreciate you for stopping by. Rachel

Marilyn

Wednesday 5th of August 2020

So cute--and I love that you just used scraps!

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Friday 7th of August 2020

Marilyn, I really appreciate your comments. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Rachle