Using Plywood Scraps

• Most simple birdhouse plans call for six to eight scraps of wood. By using plywood scraps you can keep the cost of your birdhouse down while repurposing items that might have been tossed. Search your garage or workroom for plywood scraps or visit your local home improvement store. Many home improvement stores keep and sell scraps of plywood for a discounted price.
  
  

Avoid Stained and Treated Plywood

• Generally, the plywood used for most projects does not need to be treated but it is important that you avoid using any treated plywood when building birdhouses. Plywood used for planters, wood foundations and decks is often treated with preservatives and some of these preservatives like formaldehyde may be harmful to birds. Some plywood is pressure-treated and the chemicals used in this process can be toxic for birds. Before using any plywood in making a birdhouse, check that it has not been treated with any chemicals or preservatives.
  
  

Use Caution when Painting Plywood

• It is easy to turn a boring plywood birdhouse into a colorful garden ornament by simply adding a layer of paint but you need to use caution when doing so. Acrylic craft paint will not be able to stand up to outdoor weather and over time it may begin to flake and peel. As the paint cracks, birds may eat it and be poisoned by the chemicals in the paint. When painting outdoor birdhouses it is best to use non-toxic latex paints designed for outdoor use and only paint the exterior of the birdhouse.
  
  

Build Using the Right Dimensions

• Plywood is available in all sizes and can easily be cut to suit your needs but before building plywood for a birdhouse you need to consider the needs of the birds themselves. What kind of birds normally visit your yard or garden and what size and shape of birdhouse would best suit them? Most small birds will find adequate a birdhouse with a 4-by-4 inch bottom and an 8-inch depth. You also need to consider the size of the entrance hole and the height at which you will mount the birdhouse. Specific information about different types of birds and birdhouses can easily be found online.