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Garbage cans are essential, but not particularly attractive. A disguise can help here. Building a garbage can box yourself is very easy with our instructions.

In a nutshell

  • Structure must be adapted to the needs
  • ongoing wood protection plays a crucial role
  • Garbage can boxes offer protection against various hazards
  • the right choice of wood is crucial
  • Variants made of wood are appealing

Garbage can box made of wood

Building a garbage can box out of wood has several advantages. For example:

  • breathable (depending on the protection used)
  • durable material
  • decorative
  • easy construction
  • diverse design options

But why should you even build a garbage can box yourself? The reasons for this are simple. Bins for household waste, organic waste or recycling are not exactly attractive and can therefore have a negative impact on the overall appearance of the garden or driveway. In addition, the lid is very easy to open. Food leftovers or their packaging are therefore particularly attractive to insects and other animals. These include mice and rats, for example, but also raccoons and foxes. Smaller barrels in particular can easily be knocked over by larger animals.

The box represents an additional protection that can reduce these problems. It can also be used to prevent strangers from disposing of their rubbish on your premises. Because the fixed cladding can be locked.

structure and size

These two factors depend on the following points:

  • number of tons
  • size of the vessels
  • personal preference
  • existing space

In the case of barrels with a volume of 240 liters, the paneling must of course be larger than in the 120 liter variants. If you only want to store two bins for residual waste, you will of course need less space than for four bins, which also include recycling.

Therefore, measure each bin and calculate a surcharge per bin box of at least ten centimeters in width, depth and height. The measurement required for this should be carried out at the widest, deepest and highest points. Also consider the handles.

Another important point is how the structure should be designed. Orient yourself to the local conditions. If you can remove the bins on the right and left, this is ideal for locations on narrow paths, for example. Doors on the front, in turn, make more sense if it is a narrow niche.

lid

The questions also arise when it comes to the cover of the garbage can box: How, where and how many should be attached. Each variant has its own advantages and disadvantages. Side-opening lids do no damage to the wall behind. However, they should be used individually. Otherwise the necessary stability is not given or only for a short time because the weight is too heavy.

If you only use one lid, you can get to all the bins at the same time. This saves time and effort. However, this has a higher weight and is therefore more difficult to open. However, a single lock is sufficient to secure all barrels.

Tip: No matter how many lid sections you choose, be sure to design and build to create a slope. This allows the rainwater to drain off better. This in turn extends the life of the fairing.

body and doors

Stable and tight connections are essential for a durable construction of the garbage can box. In addition, you have to pay more attention to the doors and the body. These include the following points, among others:

  • Attachment of the handles
  • alignment
  • size
  • height
  • closure

Again, be guided by the local conditions. In a larger yard or on a wide driveway there are completely different possibilities than, for example, on a narrow path.

Attaching the doors can be made in narrow niches depending on the available space and the number of vessels. With two tons, side doors are just as ideal as doors that can be opened to the front.

With several tons, lateral openings alone are often impractical because then several vessels have to be moved.

materials & tools

If you want to build a garbage can box yourself, you first need the appropriate utensils. The materials and tools required are:

  • drill or cordless screwdriver
  • miter saw
  • handles
  • Wooden strips or square timbers
  • wood panels
  • wood preservatives
  • Measuring device, such as a ruler or tape measure
  • brush or paint roller
  • hinges
  • grinder
  • screws
  • jigsaw

manual

1. Measurement: First measure the height, depth and width of each barrel. For the height of the panel you should at least measure the diagonal of the vessel. For example, define the lower left corner and the upper right corner as measuring points.

2. Planning: Make sketches of different designs of the garbage can box. This makes it clear which version best suits your needs. Set all components to the appropriate scale.

3. Sawing: Once you have decided on a variant, saw the wooden panels accordingly. Then sand down the cut surfaces to create even edges. It is ideal if you choose to make the rear wall or the front ten centimeters higher and saw the side walls at an angle. With a one meter high barrel, the rear wall could be 120 centimeters high and the front 110 centimeters high. The side parts are cut diagonally at the top edge so that there are no gaps.

4. Square timber: Screw square pieces of wood to the long sides of the two side walls so that they are exactly as far away from the outer edge as the hinges need. The square timbers serve as the basis for the back and front as well as the floor and give the paneling more stability.

5. Connect elements: Now screw the back wall and the floor to the square timbers and the side walls. Pay attention to a tight closure. With hardwood it may be necessary to pre-drill thinner holes.

6. Fix hinges: Use two hinges per door or three for more stability. First screw these to the doors and then also to the square timbers. Make sure that the distances between the hinges are even.

7. Attach lid: The positions for the hinges are now also determined on the rear wall or the side parts. You should use at least two hinges per lid. First screw them to the lid and then to the rear wall or side panels. The positions depend on whether the lids should open upwards and backwards or to the side.

8. Fix handles: One of the final steps is to attach the handles for the doors and lid. A simple screwing is sufficient for this.

9. Apply protection: Before the wooden garbage can box can be used, the natural material must be protected again. When choosing, make sure that the product is for outdoor use. In particular, focus on the transitions on the hinges, screws and handles, which weakened the first protection in these places.

Tip: You can also apply the protection to the wood before assembling the dustbin box. This allows you to ensure that you can easily reach every corner.

If you build a garbage can box yourself and want or need to attach the doors to the side, attach the square timber to the back wall and the front instead of the side walls. However, the further procedure does not differ from the steps described.

Tip: When applying the wood protection, make sure that the agent can penetrate all cracks and grooves. Otherwise, these become potential problem areas.

Suitable types of wood

Building a garbage can box yourself offers many possibilities. The main advantage is that it can be customized. Regardless of how many bins you want to store or what size they are: the best solution can be created with your own creation made of wood. However, this requires, among other things, the selection of the right wood.

Important factors are:

  • resistance and durability
  • resin content
  • hardness
  • natural protection against fungi and parasites
Types of wood: Douglas fir, oak, teak (from left to right)

Examples of suitable types of wood are:

  • douglas fir
  • Oak
  • larch
  • Black Locust
  • teak

These prove to be weather-resistant and resist moisture.

wood protection

A potential downside to the material is that it requires ongoing maintenance and protection that is applied regularly. Depending on the variant chosen, the wood protection must be renewed every one to three years. For example:

  • paint
  • glaze
  • oil
  • wax

Apply the wood preservative to the dustbin box and allow it to dry completely before beginning assembly.

Tip: Make sure that the agent you choose is suitable for outdoor use. In addition, it should not give off any toxic fumes. Even distribution is also crucial.

frequently asked Questions

What alternatives are there to the garbage can box made of wood?

Metal and plastic plates are also possible solutions. However, they are more difficult to process and condensation can form on the inside in both summer and winter. This makes cleaning more difficult and can increase unpleasant odors.

How to extend the life of the wooden garbage can box?

This is easily possible with regular care and cleaning of the wooden garbage can box. Also lubricate the hinges and look out for discolouration, which may indicate fungal infestation and must be treated separately.

Is a lock on the garbage can box really necessary?

It is not mandatory. However, it keeps animals away and prevents other people from having access. If you build a garbage can box yourself, these are the main goals, so a lock can make sense.

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Category:

Garden design