DIY Dog House: Dog House Roof Types, Materials, and Ideas

Man’s best friend deserves a stately structure that provides protection from the elements, especially after a long day of play. Every dog house needs a protective, durable, and visually appealing roof. There are many roof types, materials, and ideas to choose from when building a dog house. 

There are many different styles and designs for dog houses. There is a lot of room for creativity, but the most essential element is the roof. When you build a dog house, it is important to carefully consider the roofing material and structure. The roof keeps your beloved pet safe and sheltered from the elements. Aesthetics are meaningful, but most importantly, the dog house roof must be appropriate for the climate. For example, if you live in an area that receives a significant amount of snow every winter, it is critical to build a dog house with a roof that can withstand the weight of the snow.

In terms of shape, dog house roofs are usually either flat, mono-pitched, curved, gabled, or pyramid-shaped.

Flat roofs are designed to appear flat, but they must be discreetly angled to allow water to run off. The small degree of slope is a practical necessity, but it will not stand in the way of adding features to the top of the roof. Flat roofs are fun because they can be topped with plants, solar panels, or other decorative features.

Mono-pitched roofs consist of sloped, single planes that are functional, easy to build, and visually pleasing. They are sometimes also referred to as skillion or shed roofs. These types of roofs are common on sheds, but if you want, they can be stylistically elevated to serve as a practical and elegant dog house roof solution.

Curved roofs are sophisticated. Depending on the style, the rounded design can reference anything from ancient temples to innovative modern architecture. If you are an adept craftsperson, you may want to consider creating a sacred space with a curved roof for your precious pup.

Gabled roofs typically have two sloped sides that meet at a central ridge. This is the most common, affordable roof shape to build. Additionally, with this type of roof there is a lot of room for creativity because there are many options and styles.

Pyramid-shaped roofs are classic, sturdy, and highly functional. This style usually has 4 sloped sides that meet at a single point in the center. This type of roof can be the most challenging to build, but it is the most solid and reliable.

While there are many variations on design and construction, roofs typically include a base structure, a substructure, and a covering, and dog house roofs are no exception. The base structure is a skeleton that is usually made of timber or metal. The substructure is typically a flat piece of material such as plywood. The covering can be made using shingles, metal sheeting, plastic sheeting, wood tiles or planks, or slate tiles.

Onduline’s ONDURA Premium Half Sheet is the perfect DIY roofing solution for dog houses because it is lightweight, easy to trim, wind resistant to 180 mph, and easy to install with standard tools. It is available in 4 pleasing colors and it does not have sharp edges. With Onduline’s Ondura Premium Half Sheet on your dog house roof, the structure will stay cooler on sunny days and quieter during storms because the material does not resonate noise or radiate heat. Measuring 39.5 x 38 inches, the half sheet is ideal for small dog houses. If you are building a large dog house, the Onduline’s ONDURA Premium Series is available in full-sized sheets. However, all of Onduline’s roofing sheets are easy to trim to whatever shape or size your design necessitates.

To choose a roof type and material for your dog house, you need to consider the protective requirements, your aesthetic goals, and your budget.

Thankfully Onduline makes the roof type and material selection process easy with their world-class, cost-effective, lightweight roofing materials. Onduline has supplied the world with roofing materials for over 75 years, and the North American team has been providing materials to U.S. based customers for almost 45 years. Along with trusted roofing materials, Onduline provides excellent customer service, simple installation instructions, and novice-friendly resources.

To get more inspiration, check out this resource for creating outdoor shelters for animals. If you are ready to create the perfect dog house for your best friend, contact Onduline today!