New pattern from steve butterfly house.

[goldfish]

Found this pattern today. Looks cool dont think its a good idea to make from ply for use outside in the uk. Our weather is crap lol. I will have a go with something a bit more durable. What would you use or recommend ?

 

https://www.stevedgood.com/bflyhouse.pdf

[FrankEV]

It really doesn't matter unless yolu can find something like Teak.  Any regular available wood, at 1/4" thick, even if painted, will not hold up very well to the elements. 

Possibly 1/4" thick marine grade ply might work, but I would use a different joint method, where the plywood edge would show as little as possible.

I've done bird houses out of cedar pickets (nom 5/8" thick, I think) that hold up for a number years unpainted.  However, if you planed the cedar down to 1/4" I don't think it will survive very long befoer it twist out of shape.  

I've built three bird feeders out of 1/2" PT plywood and painted with oil based enamel.  They only last about a year or until the squirrels tear them apart.

 

 

 

 

[TAIrving]

I saw that pattern also, my wife likes it and I probably will make one.

Here Butterfly House For Your Garden (joyfulbutterfly.com) is an article I found about how to build them.  It suggests that we use non-treated wood, pine or cypress preferred.  I don't know how plywood would work.  

The article has other tips including colors to paint them and where to place them in your yard.  

[danny]

I Love Feeding and Caring for MY Birds.  Been doing this for Decades.

Have Always used regular Pine.  3/4"  Thompsons Water Treatment

used.  Painted outside a couple coats of Outdoor Paint.  Holds up for

Many Years....  Danny  :+}

[spirithorse]

As with anything else, if you look for an answer on the internet, you are bound to find differing opinions but,
I, personally, do not think butterflies really use butterfly boxes.
An article from Entomology Department of Penn State University did an extensive study and did not find
ANY butterflies in 40 boxes that they erected for their study.
Complete article can be viewed here Out My Backdoor: Do Butterfly Boxes Work? | Department Of Natural Resources Division (georgiawildlife.com)

To answer the question though, I would use a variety of Cedar to make it attractive and durable.

God Bless! Spirithorse

[barb.j.enders]

I made a butterfly house years ago, never have I seen a butterfly come out or go into the box.