
	Intro: Before you begin Step 1: Know your tenant Step 2: Mark and cut the dimensions Step 3: Start construction and prepare the backing Step 4: Assemble the sides Step 5: Assemble the facing Step 6: Add the floor and the roof Step 7: Mount the house Step 8: Protect, monitor, and clean the house







	Pilot hole: A drilled hole slightly smaller in diameter than the screw or nail that helps guide the screw or nail and minimize split wood

2torial #0965:
Learn2 Build a Birdhouse (continued)

Start construction and prepare the backing

Before you assemble the house of any bird's dreams, here are a few construction guidelines:

While a hammer and nails will hold the box together fine, drilling galvanized screws will give a more secure assembly.
Nails or screws should be inserted about 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) apart, about 3/8-inch (1 centimeter) from the board's edge, perpendicular to the board (unless these instructions say otherwise).
If you're using screws, pre-drilling pilot holes will make the work easier and cut down on the wood splitting.
Finally, both nails and screws are easier to insert if you start them before attaching the pieces (that is, mark the spots where you'll nail or drill, insert them until they just pierce through the other side, then butt the pieces together and finish the job).

Start construction with the backing. Insert a row of starter nails or screws along one of the long sides of the backing board. This row should only be as long as the back height of the side piece (the high end of the slant), since the backing board is longer than the side piece. Start the row 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) down from the backing's corner.

Step 4