How to Make Insulated Outdoor Houses for Cats

If you have barn cats, cats that like to spend time outdoors, or feral cats that live outdoors year 'round, you may want to make some insulated outdoor houses to protect them from cold weather and storms. Consider placing your outdoor houses on legs or attaching them to other buildings several feet above the ground to offer protection from dogs or other predators.

Things You'll Need

  • Five pieces 1/2-inch treated plywood, 20 by 20 inches
  • One piece 1/2-inch treated plywood, 15 inches by 20 inches
  • 100 3/4-inch nails
  • 30 2-inch nails
  • Six 1/2-inch screws
  • Nine boards, 1 by 2 by 20 inches
  • Four boards, 1 by 2 by 16 inches
  • Roll of insulation
  • Hammer
  • Saw
  • Screwdriver
  • Staple gun and staples
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Form four of the 1-inch-by-2-inch boards into a square frame by placing two of the 20-inch boards parallel to each other, 18 inches apart; place two of the 16-inch boards inside the edges of the 20-inch boards so that you create a perfect square with 90-degree-angled corners. Repeat this process to create a second square.

    • 2

      Hammer 2-inch nails into the 20-inch-long boards so that the nails go into the 16-inch-long boards, thus securing the square frames. Use at least two nails in each board.

    • 3

      Using 2-inch nails again, hammer one 20-inch, 1-inch-by-2-inch board into the inside of each corner, creating a cube. Hammer one 20-inch board 15 inches from one corner to create the door of the cathouse.

    • 4

      Cut five 20-inch sheets of insulation and one 15-inch-long sheet from your roll.

    • 5

      Staple the sheets of insulation to the frame so that the paper side is inside the cathouse next to the cat, and so that the fiberglass is enclosed once you attach the outer walls.

    • 6

      Attach the five 20- by 20-inch squares of 1/2-inch treated plywood using 3/4-inch nails to the bottom, top and each side of the cube. Attach the 15- by 20-inch section of plywood to the front where you placed a board at the 15-inch mark to create the door.