Double Cat House with Insulation Plans

This step by step diy project is about double cat house with insulation plans. After designing the simple insulated cat house, I had the brilliant idea of making a few modifications so it can accommodate two cats. This is built on a sturdy structure that is made from 2x2s and siding sheets. The insulation is made from extruded polystyrene sheets and the interior walls are made from 1/4″ plywood. Take a look over the rest of my woodworking plans, if you want to get more building inspiration.

Building an insulated cat house with a front porch provides your feline friend with a cozy, weatherproof shelter that’s perfect for all seasons. The insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside, while the front porch gives them a little outdoor lounging area to enjoy. Plus, it’s a rewarding DIY project that adds both functionality and charm to your yard!

When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the project won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Projects made from these plans

Simple Insulated Cat House Plans

Building-a-double-cat-house-with-insulation

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 30 1/2″ long, 3 pieces – 26″ long FRAME
• B – 3 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 27 1/2″ long SKIDS
• C – 5 pieces of 5/8″ decking boards – 30 1/2″ long FLOOR
• D – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 16 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 13″ long 2xSIDE WALL
• E – 2  pieces of 2×2 lumber – 16 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 17″ long SIDE WALL
• F – 6 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 13″ long, 2 pieces – 13″ long, 2 pieces – 8″ long FRONT & BACK WALL
• G – 6 pieces of 1 1/2″ polystyrene sheets – 24″x48″ INSULATION
• H – 2 pieces of 5/8″ T1-11 siding – 16″x16 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 21″x31 1/2″ long EXTERIOR WALLS
• I – 6 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 18″ long RAFTERS
• I – 2 pieces of 1/4″ plywood – 13″x16″ long, 2 pieces – 14 3/4″x20″ long, 4 pieces – 13″x20 3/4″ long INTERIOR WALLS
• J – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 18×20 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 11 3/4″x30 1/2″ long ROOF 
• K – 4 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 19″ long, 2 pieces – 20 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 30 1/2″ long TRIMS
• L – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 11″ long, 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 30 1/2″ long PORCH
• M – 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 31 1/2″ long, 3 pieces – 11″ long PORCH ROOF
• N – 12 sq ft of asphalt shingles ROOFING

• 3 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 8′
• 2 pieces of 5/8″ decking boards – 8′
• 6 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8′
• 2 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 8′
• 1 piece of 5/8″ T1-11 siding – 4’x8′
• 1 pieces of 1/4″ plywood – 4’x4′
• 1 piece of 1/2″ plywood – 4’x4′
• 6 pieces of 1 1/2″ extruded polystyrene foam sheets
• 12 sq ft of asphalt shingles
• 1 1/2″ brad nails, 2 1/2″ screws, 1 5/8″ screws
• wood filler , wood glue, stain/paint

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

Related

• Insulated cat house plans
• Chicken picnic table plans

It’s that easy to build a cat house – Video!

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Building a cat house with insulation

Floor-frame-for-cat-shelter

The first step of the project is to build the frame for the floor. Cut the components from 1×2 lumber, using the information from the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the end components and insert 1 5/8″ screws to assemble the frame together tightly. Check if the corners are square and align the edges flush.

Fitting the insulation to the floor frame

Fit 1 1/2″ polystyrene foam sheets between the frame of the floor, as shown in the diagram. Make sure you fit several layers of the polystyrene, as a better thickness will ensure a better insulation for the floor of the cat house.

Fitting the floor slats

Next, use 5/8″ decking boards for the floor of the cat house. Cut the boards at 16″ long and then lay them to the frame. Leave no gaps between the slats, drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws to lock the boards into place tightly.

Fitting the skids – double cat house

Fit the 2×2 skids to the floor of the cat house. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock them into place tightly.

Building the wall frames

Wall-frames-for-cat-house

Build the side walls for the cat house using 2×2 lumber, as well as the middle wall for the partition. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock everything tightly. Add glue to the joints and make sure the corners are square.

Fitting the side walls to the cat house

Fit the wall frames to the floor of the insulated cat house, as shown in the plans. Drill pilot holes through the bottom plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the floor. Plumb the walls with a spirit level for a professional result.

Back wall frame

Next, attach the 2×2 supports for the back wall. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the supports and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock them into place tightly.

Front frame – double cat house

Frame the front wall for the cat house in the same manner described above. You can adjust the size of the door opening to suit your needs.

Building the roof

Rafters for double cat house

Use 1×3 lumber for the rafters. Use a miter saw to make a 15.5 bevel cut to one end of the rafters.

Fitting the rafters – double cat house

Fit the rafters to the top of the cat house. Align the edges flush, drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock them into place tightly.

Side siding – cat house

Use 5/8″ T1-11 siding sheets for the exterior walls of the cat house. Cut the sheets at the right dimensions and and then attach the to the sides of the cat house with 2″ nails.

Back wall siding – cat house

Attach the siding sheets to the back of the cat house, as show in the diagram.

Front wall siding – cat house

Fit the siding sheet to the front of the cat house. Use a jigsaw to cut out the opening for the two houses.

Fitting the interior panels

Insulation for walls

Use 1 1/2″ extruded polystyrene for the wall insulation. Use a saw to cut the panels at the dimensions shown in the diagram.

Fitting the insulation to the walls

Fit the insulation sheets into the wall frames. If you cut them as shown in the diagram, they will fit in properly.

Interior-walls-–-cat-house

You can use 1/4″ plywood or tongue and groove boards for the interior walls. Using the plywood will make the job a lot faster, so I suggest you to choose this route. Mark the cut lines on the plywood sheet and get the job done with a circular saw.

Fitting the front and back interior walls

Fit the panels to the front and back of the cat shelter. Use finish nails to secure the panels to the frame of the structure.

Fitting the interior side walls – cat shelter

Attach the plywood panels to the sides of the cat house.

Fitting the middle roof rafters

Fit the middle rafters to the double cat house, drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws to lock them into place.

Roof insulation

Fit the insulation sheets between the rafters of the cat house.

Building the front porch

Support for cat house porch

Fit the 1×2 support to the front of the cat house. Use a spirit level to make sure the support is perfectly horizontal. Drill pilot holes through the support and insert 1 5/8″ screws to lock it to the frame of the structure.

Porch supports – cat house

Next, build the front support for the porch. Use 2×2 lumber for the posts and 1×2 lumber for the top plate. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock everything together and to the porch of the cat shelter.

Cat house porch rafters

Use 1×2 lumber for the porch rafters. Use a miter saw to make the angle cuts to both ends of the supports.

Fitting the rafters to the cat house porch

Fit the rafters to the front of the double cat house. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws to secure the rafters into place tightly.

Fitting the roof sheets – double cat house

Use 1/2″ plywood for the roof sheets. Cut the sheets as shown in the diagram. Fit the sheets to the top of the cat house and align the edges perfectly. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws to lock everything together tightly.

Roof-trims—cat-house

Use 1×2 lumber for the roof trims. Cut the trims as shown in the diagram.

Fit the trims to the top of the cat house. Align the edges flush and leave no gaps between the trims. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws to secure the trims into place tightly.

Fitting the roofing

Cover the roof of the cat house with asphalt shingles.

Finishing touches

Double-cat-house-with-insulation-plans

Apply a few coats of stain or paint to the exterior of the cat house to protect the components from the elements and to make it look nice and match the style of the rest of your garden.

Double cat house with insulation plans – front view

I am sure you favorite furry pets will love their new house, because it features insulated walls and a porch.

Building an insulated cat house with a front porch will cost approximately $125 to $200, depending on the materials you choose. This estimate covers plywood, insulation, 2×2 lumber, paint, hardware, and roofing materials, along with bedding for comfort. If you already have the basic tools, you can easily tackle this DIY project on a budget!

Double cat house with insulation plans – back view

The basic box structure and the gable roof make this insulated cat house easy to build and cost friendly. I have lots of other cat house designs on this blog so make sure you take a look over the rest of them HERE. Moreover, I have more than 1000+ free woodworking plans on this blog which you can see all HERE.

This woodworking project was about double cat house with insulation plans free. If you want to see more outdoor plans, check out the rest of our step by step projects and follow the instructions to obtain a professional result. If you build this cat house let me know and I will be more than glad to highlight your work! You can build and You can inspire others!

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