Pipe House
A new use for PVC pipe
Many do-it-yourselfers use cedar and other natural materials for their construction projects. However, PVC pipe can also be used
to make a birdhouse with minimal
construction. Not only can PVC
houses be made quickly—a boon
if your goal is to install numerous
birdhouses around a large property with a lot of acreage—but PVC
houses are extremely resistant to
weather. In fact, they’re nearly
indestructible.
PVC is available in a variety of
diameters, but stick with either 4”
or 6” pipe. The PVC in these pipes
also comes in different formula-
tions depending on their intended
use in home construction, but I’ve
found that foam-core PVC is the
best to work with for birdhouses.
It’s very light, and although the
inner and outer surfaces are hard,
the interior is soft foam as the
name implies, making it very easy
to work with. Also, while PVC
usually comes in minimum 8’
lengths, home centers often sell
foam-core PVC pipe in shorter
24” pieces, meaning you don’t
have to buy full lengths.
