Do Free Chicken Coop Plans Produce The Best Hen Houses?

Maybe you have decided to build a chicken shed or hen run yourself rather than buying a prefabricated one, to save money. Good idea. You must have looked at the costs for these online or in the shops. Fully assembled chicken sheds are very pricey things. Surely it makes sense to save yet more cash by getting hold of some free chicken coop plans as well? Yet the best chicken coop plans are not free, for good reason.

Plans should be proper blueprints with clear cut-to-size measurements and plenty of detail drawings for the difficult areas. Novice woodworkers will also need a full list of materials to build the coop, because it is quite difficult to prepare this accurately from drawings. You need to have the complete kit of parts assembled before you start to build the coop.

Then there is the matter of your chicken shed design. Do you already have it all worked out, or would you like to have a whole range of designs to choose from? The best chicken coop plans will include a whole heap of designs to meet every need and situation, some of which you might not have considered before. For instance, will your chickens have enough space? Be warm or cool enough? Easy to maintain and clean out? Well secured from predators?

The best chicken coops will have good protection from the weather, be warm enough in winter and cool enough in summer, be built to last, have all the necessary ramps and perches, have provision for egg collection, water dispensers and food trays – the list is quite a long one. Information and guidance on these and other important aspects of chicken shed design are usually conspicuous by their absence in free plans. Perhaps you could do with a few woodworking tips as well - good plans will include a lot of advice here.

Most people will want to do the best for their hens, which includes making the best chicken coop and ensuring that all vital elements have been included in your design to keep your hens healthy, safe and happy. A trial and error approach will be a complete waste of time, energy and money.

If you are saving perhaps $700 or more on building your own hen house, why skimp on the $40 or so you will spend on getting a good set of chicken coop plans to ensure you have the best chicken coop design that meets your particular requirements?

Free plans do not mean the best plans. There is no doubt that they will give you poor results compared to good hen house plans drawn up by chicken experts. A small investment in good chicken coop plans will repay itself many times over, and your hens will thank you for it too.

For help in finding the best chicken coop plans there is plenty of information available at BuildThingsDirect, as well as much more about keeping hens properly and laying happily.

Is It Hard Making Solar Panels For Yourself?

Many people are interested in fitting solar panels to their houses, now that electricity is getting more and more expensive. They know that solar panels work but are worried about the costs. These can add up to many thousands of dollars for an average sized house, and clearly it would take quite a few years to get these costs back in utility bill savings.

The obvious thoughts are - can I make these panels myself? And save some money in the process? And the answer is YES to both questions. Here's how.

There are literally hundreds of guides available online to show you how to make a solar panel. Some are good, many are not so good, and some are downright dangerous. remember, you are making a device that will link into your domestic electric supply, so you must know how to do this safely.

I have seen many of these guides, and they all claim that you can make solar panel systems for as little as $200 a panel. Sometimes less,if you know where to get the right materials. Looking at the materials lists supplied in some of these kits, I can see that the parts costs should indeed be as they claim.

Given that you could make a single 100W panel for $200, say, and then made 4 more to produce a total of 1 kW, that would bring your total costs to $1,000 - probably less than that, because you would be bound to find shortcuts and savings in materials.

If you wanted to buy a 1 kW system of solar panels, you would have to spend at least $4,000 and probably quite a bit more. So, making solar panels your self will save you a ton of cash.

Your problem then becomes one of finding and choosing the right diy guide to show you how to make a solar panel. We have tried to help you here, by searching the internet for the best (and safest) packages, by which we mean kits of plans with comprehensive instructions.

If you would like to go with our recommendation, please check out how to make a solar panel on our website, practical-solar. You will find a product that does what it says on the cover and is excellent value for money.

Good luck with your first solar panel!

Build A Gazebo The Right Way

I have great childhood memories of my grandma's gazebo. It was a beautiful building, taking pride of place in her garden, which was itself a wonderful part of her home. I used to play in and around it with my friends (my brother and sister were far too old for that sort of thing!), and it was at times a fort or a castle or the Sheriff of Nottingham's forward base against Robin Hood.

I have never forgotten that gazebo, and one day I will have my own. In the meantime I have managed to help one or two others to find and build their own dream gazebos, so I thought I would share some of the basic steps with anyone thinking about building a gazebo for themselves.

Making one is not difficult, but it does require great attention to measuring and cutting accurately to plan, otherwise the finished building will look homemade and far from professional. That would be a shame, since the gazebo should be a thing of beauty.

I have outlined the basic steps for building a gazebo on our website, where you will also find details of our favorite planning kit.

Planning Basics For Dog Houses

Outdoor dog houses are usually quite basic, but need to be strong and weather-proof. In addition to this, however, most owners feel that their dog houses should express the affection and pride they have for their dogs, so the building should be of a professional standard in both form and function.

If you are going to make the kennel yourself, you should aim to use some proper dog house plans to do the job to a professional standard. Before looking at plans, however, you should think about the planning basics for dog houses.

First and foremost outdoor dog houses must provide a strong shield against all kinds of weather including rain, wind and hot sun. This means proper sealing of joints and seams, as well as insulation from damp, cold and heat. Adding some overhang outside the kennel entrance will give your dog some shade during hot weather too. Keep the floor off the ground to prevent damp inside the kennel and to preserve the wood.

Ventilation is also super important. Dogs can overheat easily, so they must have adequate ventilation in their house during hot periods. Similarly in cold weather their breathing can lead to condensation and damp inside the kennel if it is not ventilated. This is great for mould, not so great for dogs. You must build in good vents to allow a flow of air into and out of the dog house.

Do not use treated wood for dog houses, it is not a safe material for housing where animals might come into contact with it.

Access for cleaning out the kennel is important. Maybe have a hinged back wall or roof panel so thqat you can reach inside the kennel easily.

The last point is the size of the kennel – it has to be just right for your dog. There must be room for the dog to enter, turn around and lie down comfortably. Do not make the house too large, because dogs need to snuggle down in cold weather and use their body heat to keep warm. Too much space will make this harder for him.

Making a good, sound dog house should cost you no more than about a hundred dollars and take you perhaps a day or so to do. Although a basic doghouse is simply four walls, a roof and a floor, you will most likely want to see a range of designs to get ideas for a more professional model.

To help you we have selected what we think are the best dog house plans currently available. Here you will find a good selection of designs to choose from, as well as clear plans and detailed materials lists. There are also sketches and diagrams to show you exactly what to do, if you are a novice at this. The dog house plans kit costs only a few dollars, and there is a money-back guarantee if you are not happy for any reason, which we think is essential for any online purchase these days.

We have shown the basic requirements for a successful doghouse. You can design and build one very easily, very quickly and very cheaply using the best dog house plans. You can also make a really professional standard house for your favorite dog. Why not give it a try this weekend?

How To Make Your Own Windmill - Essential Tips

Buying a ready-made windmill can easily cost anywhere from 12,000 to 30,000 dollars, so it is interesting to consider how to build a windmill for oneself. Actually, doing it yourself is very easy and can be done for under 200 dollars. For this sort of money you will not get a very large windmill, but the potential savings are pretty significant.

So, if you are thinking about making a windmill, what do you need to do first? Before setting out on this project, you should consider a few things first:

• Local average wind speed. Whatever others might tell you, windmills do not operate very well in average winds under 10 mph. The US Department of Energy publishes detailed wind resource maps, which should be checked before making a windmill.
• Building Codes. Check these to see if you can build a windmill. For a small windmill you probably will be OK, but it’s best to make sure.
• Available windmill space. Plan on roughly half an acre for a small windmill.
• Next-door neighbors. It is sensible to include your neighbors in your plans, and prepare to overcome any prejudices about possible noise, TV interference and so on.
• Windmill capacity. You only want a windmill that will generate enough electricity for your needs. The utility company does not have to buy any surplus from you, only offset against your grid consumption.
• Storage. If you intend to live off-grid you will need to have batteries for electricity storage. These are available for free if you know the secret source!. Or plan to use your windmill to partially offset your utility bills.

These are some of the reasons why it is often best to seek advice from windmill experts when planning to build your own windmill. You will then be able to select the right plans for your circumstances, and make sure these include full lists of materials needed for the assembly as well as clear step-by-step instructions.

Small windmills have only a few components. Typically these are:

• A propeller (actually 3 propeller blades fixed to a hub)
• A DC motor
• A fantail
• An axle to which these are fitted
• A mounting pole
• An inverter, if AC is required
• Storage batteries

With some electrical wiring and a few fasteners you will have everything needed to build your own windmill. Almost certainly you will have many of these items in your shed but, even if you have to buy them, you will find it possible to get all required items for under 200 dollars. It is quite feasible to assemble and fit a small windmill in a weekend.

Further information and recommendations about detailed step-by-step instructions and diagrams to show you how to build your own windmill can be found at Practical-Solar.

They can be had for very little money, and are well worth the investment. 

Why Not Build Your Own Pool Solar Heater - It's Easy And Cheap!

Using the sun to heat your swimming pool is one of the most practical applications of free solar energy. A solar water heater will let you enjoy a longer swimming season and preserve your water temperature during cooler evenings without having to worry about the heating costs. Swimming pool solar heating systems can heat a large amount of water each day, and are quite capable of keeping the water temperature in the 80 – 85 degree range even in moderate sunshine.

Installing a swimming pool solar heating system also adds value to your home.

If you decide to buy and install a ready-made solar water heating system you could pay from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on collector size and installation costs. However, it is quite possible to make your own solar water heater for an average-sized pool for under $200, including materials, plans and expert guidance.

The solar water heater is fitted into a circulation loop connected to the existing filter system. While the filter is working during the day the water is passed through the solar collectors and back to the pool. You can have a swimming pool solar heater system which has no moving parts, such as a recirculating pump, but this is governed by the daily sunshine activity locally.

The solar collectors are often mounted on roofs to get the best exposure to direct sunshine. Ideally the collectors should face the sun at mid-day and be at an angle equivalent to your latitude less 10 to 15 degrees. Several factors will influence the size of the collector panels, but it will be at least 50% of the pool surface area. Increase this to 75% if the collectors are laid flat or facing west. It is not unusual for the collector area to be the same as that of the pool when the site is shaded badly or exposed to strong winds. Because of the space requirements of the collectors, it is often better to fix them to a ground frame or even a suitable fence.

There are several factors which can influence a solar heater installation, including:

• Climate and sunlight availability.
• Building codes and safety issues.
• Size of the pool.
• Length of the swimming season.
• Desired pool temperature.
• Solar collector efficiency.

You really need the help of an expert to design your swimming pool solar heating system when considering these factors, because only someone with professional experience will be able to suggest the best solar pool heating system for your particular circumstances.

Making and fitting a swimming pool solar heater is very easy, and you need no special skills or fancy tools. You will find all needed materials in your local hardware shop. But, as always, there are experts that will make your job easier and safer, and the project planning stage much more complete.

I have no hesitation in recommending one solar heater kit that includes a simple set of plans and a comprehensive set of clearly illustrated instructions to guide you throughout the build in making your swimming pool solar heater.

For less than $200, including all plans, instructions, materials and expert guidance, you can make a superb solar water heater system for your pool – what a great idea!

Building A Log Cabin - Make That Dream Come True

Perhaps the perfect log cabin dream is a simple, single or double room wooden house seated comfortably in a private getaway location far from the madding crowd. It would have great views in both winter and summer, there would be fishing in the nearby lake or stream, there would be trees to hang hammocks under, the wildlife would be around but not intrusive, there would be great sunsets, the log fire would be crackling as you trudged in from the snow.

Above all you would want privacy, peace, time to breath and take stock.

Some people have already achieved this dream. They have found the perfect setting, found the $50,000 to pay for the kit and a further $15,000 or $20,000 to get it built.

Of course, if your backyard is big enough, you could simply build a log cabin in it provided that your local planning laws allow such things (most local planners will approve temporary structures).

However, we must face one or two home truths about log cabins. The first is that they are simple to build. This is true for most designs, in the sense that there are no complicated construction or woodworking techniques required, but building a log cabin still requires much grit, determination and physical strength. Remember that log cabins are made from logs sometimes more than 16 feet long and perhaps 9 inches in diameter – these are seriously heavy pieces of wood. You will be hoisting some logs 8, maybe 10 feet in the air during construction. Simple? Yes, but not easy if you are unprepared.

Secondly, many people think that log cabins do not need proper foundations. Yes, some early log cabins were erected on hard ground. Some of these survive to this day. However, these were only meant to be interim structures until the settlers got around to building a more permanent house, and many did not last very long. Face it, any proper building must have a proper base. These should start below the frostline – if there is one reasonably near the surface – and extend to one or two feet above ground. At one time stone was the traditional material for foundations but now we tend to use concrete or cement blocks. I know this adds to the cost of building a log cabin but it is well worth it in the end.

When it comes to the design of a log cabin, there are literally hundreds to choose from. Maybe you have your own design planned out in your head or, even better, on paper. There are plenty of kits available (see costs, above), but the traditional and arguably the most fun method is to build your own log cabin. It will cost a whole lot less as well. Make sure your plans are really well done, work out the full list of materials for your chosen design, get everything together before starting the assembly, and find a good team of willing labor.

Easily the best and safest way to build a log cabin, and certainly the way for anybody who is not an expert in this area, is to invest in a set of good quality blueprints and step-by-step instructions produced by professional log house designers. These are not that expensive in any case – usually less than $50 will get you all the plans and instructions needed – and usually come with some useful bonuses like woodworking techniques, sources of the best logs and other materials, details about local planning and building regulations, the sort of things that often take up a disproportionate amount of your time when doing your own research.

Remember that log cabin dream, and plan right now to build a log cabin that you and your family can be proud to own and enjoy for years to come.

Lots of luck and have fun!