Wood is an ideal material for dog kennels due to its strength, durability and natural insulation. It’s also a low-maintenance option that can be easily cleaned with soap and water. Furthermore, wood looks great in any outdoor space or garden due to its natural grain.
Not only does it look aesthetically pleasing but it also provides a safe environment for your furry friend. Wood has the ability to insulate against cold temperatures while still providing adequate ventilation so your pup can stay comfortable all year round.
With proper care and maintenance, wooden dog kennels will last for years and provide a secure home away from home for your pet.
What is wood made out of?
Wood is primarily composed of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose – three components that are found in the cell walls of plants. The amount of each component present in wood varies depending on the type of tree it came from as well as its age.
What is cellulose?
Cellulose forms the strong fibres that make up the bulk of a tree trunk’s structure. This material is most commonly found in coniferous trees such as fir and pine. These trees tend to produce denser woods that are better at resisting compression forces. Hardwoods like oak and walnut typically have more cellulose coniferous woods, giving them greater resistance to bending forces.
What is lignin?
Lignin is a complex polymer compound that makes up about 20-30% of woody tissue by weight. It binds together cellulose fibres and other components within plants’ cell walls to form a strong matrix that strengthens wood structures against abrasion and gouging forces. Lignin also serves an important role in providing stiffness to wood products like furniture pieces or doors, preventing them from sagging over time.
What is hemicelluloses?
Finally, hemicelluloses make up about 10-15% of a tree’s dry weight and help provide additional bonding strength between woody tissues. They are composed of short sugars linked together into long chains that can absorb moisture when exposed to air or water, thus helping protect wooden surfaces from damage caused by moisture exposure such as warping or rotting over time.
How are dog kennels manufactured?
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The manufacturing of wooden dog kennels typically begins with harvesting wood from trees. Depending on the type of wood desired, workers can either strip bark from standing trees or select logs that have already been cut and processed. The wood is then fed into a chipper or sawmill, which cuts it into planks of the desired size and thickness.
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Once the planks are cut to size, they are planed and sanded to ensure the edges are smooth and free from splinters. This is especially important for safety reasons when dealing with animals. The planks can also be stained and sealed for extra protection against weathering and moisture damage.
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Next, the planks are assembled into frames using screws or nails for added strength and stability. The frames are then covered with plywood or wire mesh panels to create walls that provide adequate ventilation while still keeping pets safe inside their kennels. Once the structure is complete, other features like door openings, ramps, stairs, shelves and water bowls can be added as needed.
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Finally, the entire structure is treated with a sealant to protect it from moisture damage over time. This sealant also helps prevent insects from nesting in the wood while still allowing it to breathe naturally without becoming too moist or dry inside the enclosure. With proper maintenance, wooden dog kennels can last for years even under tough outdoor conditions such as excessive sun exposure or heavy rainstorms.
What kind of wood is used for dog kennels?
When selecting wood for dog kennels, it’s important to consider the strength, durability and natural beauty of different types of woods. Common varieties used include pine, cedar, fir, and oak.
Pine dog kennels
Pine is a softwood that is usually one of the most affordable options due to its abundance and availability. While not as strong as some other woods, it’s still a suitable choice for outdoor structures like dog kennels because it resists decay and can be treated with sealant for added protection against moisture damage.
Cedar dog kennels
Cedar is another popular option due to its natural resistance to rot and insect pests. Cedar has a rich reddish-brown colour that can add an attractive element to your pet’s home without needing to stain or paint it.
Fir dog kennel
Fir is a dense hardwood known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio which makes it an ideal material for building strong yet lightweight frames. It also has good weather resistance and is often used in boat-building because of its ability to withstand water exposure without warping or rotting over time.
Oak dog kennel
Finally, oak provides superior strength and durability compared to other woods thanks to its high lignin content which makes it exceptionally resistant to compression forces. Its beautiful golden colour makes it an ideal choice if you’re looking for something aesthetically pleasing as well as durable enough to stand up against years of wear and tear from your pup!
Dog kennel wood finishes
When it comes to selecting a finish for wooden dog kennels, there are several options to choose from. The most common finishes used are oil-based and varnish-based sealants, which provide effective protection against moisture damage while still allowing the wood to breathe naturally.
What are oil-based sealants?
Oil-based sealants penetrate into the wood’s pores, forming a protective barrier against water without obscuring the natural grain or colour of the wood.
What are varnish-based finishes?
Varnish-based finishes offer more durability and fewer maintenance requirements while also providing a glossy appearance suitable for any outdoor environment.
What is staining?
Staining is another popular option when it comes to finishing wooden dog kennels. Stains allow owners to customise their pet’s home with various colours and shades that contrast nicely with the natural beauty of wood fibres. It can also be used as a way to protect the wood from harsh UV rays that can cause fading over time.
Paint/polyurethane finishes
In addition to these finishes, owners may also choose to apply paint or a protective coating like polyurethane for added protection against scratches and abrasions caused by sharp claws and energetic playtime with your pup! These types of coatings typically offer superior resistance against water absorption as well as resistant qualities against fading due to sun exposure.
No matter what type of finish you choose for your wooden dog kennel, it’s important that you maintain it regularly by cleaning off any dirt or debris using soap and water while avoiding harsh chemical cleaners. This will help keep your pet’s home looking great while also helping extend its lifespan so you can get years of enjoyment out of your pup’s new space!
Dog kennels nearby
Choosing the right type of wood for a dog kennel is an important decision that can have lasting effects on its durability and lifespan. With so many different types of woods to choose from, it’s essential to understand their strengths and weaknesses in order to pick the best option for your pup’s home. Whether you decide upon pine, cedar, fir or oak there are plenty of finishes available such as oil-based sealants, varnish-based finishes and even paint/polyurethane coatings – view a wide range of 5-star dog kennels at Benchmark Kennels.