Waterproof nesting box lid

ChickaChickaWow

In the Brooder
7 Years
Feb 29, 2012
11
5
24
My Coop
My Coop
I came up with this for my nesting box lid and wanted to see what people thought about it. It's not perfect, but I think it should keep the girls dry. I'm hoping the 16" overhangs keep most of the water out and this should only be needd when it's raining sideways...

I searched around Home Depot for rubber strips to seal the hinge area and I was just about to leave with a piece of garage door bottom seal when I stumbled on a roll of shower pan liner. The shower pan liner was four foot wide and cost $5/ft so I got two 1'x4' pieces for $10 and I was on my way.

My nesting box lid is about six feet long so I had to take the two pieces and 'glue' them together to make a 7.5' long piece (6" overlap). I used some leftover black RTV sealant and spread a thin layer on the over lap and left it sit overnight with some weight on it.

I took off the trim board above the nesting box lid and screwed the rubber on about halfway up.



Then I reattached the trim board and put the lid on temporarily to see how much to trim off the bottom of the rubber.



I put the nesting box lid on and mounted the hinges through the rubber.



Then I put on a row of 'ridge shingles' to cover up the hinge and the rubber. Because it isn't truely a ridge cap, you will need to get some roofing tar and glue down the top and side of each ridge shingle.



I'm also planning on putting some clear silicone along the top of the trim board in between each batten to really seal it up nicely.
 
Great idea! I was roaming all over Lowes trying to find a solution to the same problem and didn't come up with anything. Thanks for sharing.
 
Nice solution. I used shingles on the nesting boxes and placed them high enough so that the eave of the roof protects them, too.

The joint you covered is a persistent problem for keeping dry.

Chris
 
Thank you for posting this solution and the step by step pictures and instructions! I've been going through this problem with my nest boxes in my head for weeks now and you solved my problem beautifully!. Also, nice coop!
 
We are building our nesting boxes now.

How has your solution been working for you? Is it keeping everything dry? Any additional hints?

Thanks!
 
great thread!

you could also use tar paper, but having to buy a whole roll for just a small strip, yuck!

I've also seen people use the foam door insualting strips, which work ok too.

to make it absolutely 100% it should have been installed under the siding, but by caulking in between and around the battens, you've sealed it perfectly. Great job!
 

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