What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)

A birdhouse is a fantastic way to attract nearby wildlife to the backyard. It provides a sheltered and protected location for birds to get some meals and a location to take in it. It can also supply you and your family with outstanding prospect to observe the birds’ behavior as they consume.

The birdhouse itself wants to be durable and sturdy simply because it will be outside in all weathers. It demands to continue to be free from insect infestation, resistant to rot, and it also requirements to be effortless to function with so that you can generate an interesting and inviting surroundings. Choosing the correct wood, therefore, is critical.

Under, we have highlighted 9 of the greatest woods for producing your personal birdhouse: which is best for you will count on availability, funds, prevailing weather conditions situations, and even your woodworking capabilities.

The 9 Best Types of Wood for Birdhouses

1. Cedar

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: djedj, Pixabay

Cedar is far more expensive than some of the other woods on this list, but it does have a gorgeous pink tint to the grain when it is new so it will search appealing in your property or backyard. It is a lightweight content, which decreases the chance of the birdhouse falling more than handles temperature modifications effectively and is a natural insulator, so it will keep your winged website visitors warm in the wintertime. Cedar does not require staining and is by natural means resistant to rot and insects.

Pros
  • No need to stain
  • Easy to work with
  • Natural red tint
  • Lightweight but structurally stable
  • Resistant to rot and insect infestation
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Fades over time

2. Redwood

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Adurable Creation, Shutterstock

Redwood is another timber with an attractive coloration, and has an even more obvious crimson tint than cedar. It is easily offered but whilst some redwood is affordable, premium cuts carry a premium price tag. The wooden is easy to operate with, but it is vulnerable to harm from pecking and scratching so won’t be ideal for gardens that appeal to a lot more aggressive diners. When constructed, a redwood birdhouse will be resistant to insects, does not require staining or dealing with, and it will not experience from damp troubles.

Pros
  • Easy to work with
  • Readily available
  • Attractive color
  • No need to treat the wood
  • Resistant to insects, damp, and warping
Cons
  • Not suitable for aggressive peckers
  • Premium redwood can be pricey

3. Pine

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Merio, Pixabay

Pine is a widespread decision of content for woodworking tasks simply because it is a softwood that is easy to function with and is one particular of the most inexpensive of wood choices. If you’re a keen woodworker, there is a chance you previously have some pine waiting to go. Sadly, the wooden demands treating if it is to be utilised outdoor. It is also easily ruined, but it is resistant to humidity so is a great selection if you reside in an region that is prone to a good deal of rain. Its elasticity also implies that the wood is not vulnerable to turning into misshapen possibly when functioning with the wood or after it is up and getting utilized.

Pros
  • Easy to work with
  • Cheap
  • Readily available
  • Moisture resistant
  • Elastic
Cons
  • Prone to damage
  • Needs to be treated

4. Douglas Fir

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: TasfotoNL, Shutterstock

Douglas fir is developed all in excess of the planet, so it is straightforward to get keep of and economical. This non-harmful wooden is durable and has very good structural toughness. It is resistant to bugs and rot, and it doesn’t shrink. Fir is also lightweight, generating it a excellent selection for a birdhouse. Nevertheless, you will want powerful resources since the coarse texture can be difficult to function with.

Pros
  • Widely available
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Non-toxic
  • Doesn’t warp
  • Resistant to insects
Cons
  • Difficult to work with

5. Cypress

Cypress is a mild-colored wooden with normal oils that help defend towards rot. It is straightforward to operate and offered for low charges, but the identical oils that give this wooden its normal protection also give it a powerful odor and can also result in respiratory problems, such as in the birds that use it. Some of the birds in your location could decide on to stay away from a cypress birdhouse.

Pros
  • Cheap
  • Available
  • Resistant to rot and weather
  • Easy to work
Cons
  • Strong smell
  • May deter some birds

6. Teak

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Vince Reilly, Shutterstock

Teak is relatively tough to arrive by and has a large price tag, but it is well-liked for use in maritime apps since of its substantial resistance to insects, fungi, and rot. It is also revered for its all-natural attractiveness. Although it does have a good deal of benefits, the large price tag tag and deficiency of availability will place a lot of possible birdhouse builders off.

Pros
  • Natural oils make it moisture resistant
  • Resistant to rot, fungi, and insects
  • An excellent choice for outdoor use
Cons
  • Difficult to get hold of
  • Very expensive

7. Oak

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: seagul, Pixabay

Oak is an additional costly wooden, even though not as pricey as teak. It is a weighty wooden that is typically employed in developing design and for other hefty-responsibility responsibilities, and you do need to bear this in thoughts when developing your new birdhouse. Nevertheless, it is not toxic to birds, it doesn’t require staining or treating, and it is humidity-resistant, so it is a excellent choice for exterior use. Distinct colours of oak are also offered, ranging from white oak to oak with a reddish color.

Pros
  • Wide range of colors
  • No need for treating or staining
  • Non-toxic to birds
  • Very strong
  • Moisture resistant
Cons
  • Quite expensive
  • Very heavy

8. Plywood

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Dmitry Markov152, Shutterstock

Plywood is manufactured up of layers of wood veneer that are glued with each other. It is easy to function with, low cost, and located in most timber and components merchants. Phenolic plywood is your very best choice because it is safe for birds but be mindful that some birds prefer all-natural wood not only since it has a equivalent visual appeal to a all-natural chicken gap but also simply because the rough texture makes entry and exit simpler. If you do use plywood for your birdhouse, you will need to have to coat it and you ought to supply a tough texture.

Pros
  • Widely available
  • Cheap
  • Easy to work with
  • Good thermal insulation
  • Non-corrosive
Cons
  • Needs treating
  • You need to choose a non-toxic plywood
  • Some birds will struggle with the smooth finish

9. Beechwood

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: 1771391, Pixabay

Beechwood is a robust wood that is resistant to climate, significantly like oak. It has a mild coloration, is straightforward to function with, and is extensively regarded a more affordable but equivalent different to oak. It is lighter than oak, which makes it a greater alternative for birdhouses, at least in that regard. Nonetheless, it can shrink with quick temperature adjustments.

Pros
  • Fairly lightweight wood
  • Resistant to moisture
  • Non-toxic
  • Relatively cheap
  • Easy to work with hand tools and power tools
Cons
  • Can shrink

Should You Paint Or Stain A Birdhouse?

Exactly where possible, you should consider to make certain that a birdhouse seems to be as normal as possible, but staining the property is crucial when employing some woods and specially when utilizing plywood. Painting is not usually necessary and performing so implies that you will have to strip and repaint it every year or two. If you do select to paint or stain the birdhouse, guarantee that you use non-toxic stains that will not repel or even harm the birds.

Can You Use Treated Wood For Birdhouses?

It is generally regarded as safer to use non-handled wooden because this is safer for the birds. However, some stress-handled wood can be flawlessly safe and the therapy helps preserve the wooden, as a result increasing its lifespan.

What Is The Best Wood For A Birdhouse? (With Pictures)
Image Credit: GeorgiaLens, Pixabay

What Do You Put Inside A Birdhouse?

Normally, a birdhouse must be left reasonably bare. It can have a pole or shelf for the birds to sit on and species-specific seeds will aid attract birds to your box.

Can You Polyurethane A Birdhouse?

Polyurethane is typically regarded as safe for birds but there are anecdotal studies of birds staying away from individuals birdhouses that are painted with this type of content. Contemplate a natural option like linseed oil to maintain and defend the wooden, or use a wooden that doesn’t demand any remedy, if you are anxious.

How Do You Waterproof A Wooden Birdhouse?

Use a resistant wood, sloped roofs, and make sure that all the joints are appropriately sealed in between the partitions and roof. You can also utilize linseed oil, although this does consider many months to dry, so enable lots of time for this phase of the approach. Some stains and treatment options are also protected for birds, but powerful odors can set other birds off.

Conclusion

Obtaining a birdhouse in the backyard garden can entice winged visitors all through the year. The birdhouse ought to be secure, provide some security, and it also needs to appear great so that it will not be an eyesore in your lawn. Above, we have detailed nine of the best woods to use in the construction of your up coming birdhouse, so you can be sure of obtaining a single that is suited for your undertaking.


Highlighted Picture Credit rating: MabelAmber, Pixabay

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