ŠapicePet Shelter Engineering
Design class: ReuseValidation status: Data validated

Wooden Crate Shelter

A checked wooden crate with insulation fitted outside and a waterproof wrap, so the cat touches wood inside rather than foam.

A warm shelter that gets damp can be worse than a simpler one that stays dry.

“Data validated” means only the data and calculations are checked; the model has not been built or tested physically.

Capacity1–2
Outside size660 × 460
BuildBeginner
Time (estimate)60 min–2 h
model v1.0.0compiler P1.0.0plan 9bf31abb447924efWooden crateWinter · Rain
SCHEMATIC ENVELOPE660 mm

This model has no 3D view; the drawing and dimensions below fully describe the construction.

Who this is for
  • For people with reused material who can check its condition and history.
  • For one cat (up to 2), including community cats.
When not to use it
  • At a fully exposed spot: it needs shelter from wind and rain (a wall, fence or eaves).
  • For young, old, sick or unacclimated animals without extra protection and supervision.
  • With material that has not passed the reuse checklist.
Tools and calculations
Required tools
Utility knife, Hand saw
Budget class
Ultra low
Location
Sheltered outdoor spot
Supported calculations
Geometry, Bill of materials, Cut list, Sheet nesting, Cost estimate, Drawing, Build guide
Build time is a planning estimate, not a promise.
Geometry

Dimensions

Front, side and top views. Outside size 660 × 460 mm, front height 440 mm, rear 440 mm.A · FRONT VIEWB · SIDE VIEWC · PLANSCHEMATIC ENVELOPE: MEASURE YOUR PRODUCT660 mm540 mm460 mm540 mm660 mminside 600 × 400 × 380 mm
Text equivalent of the drawing
Outside size (W × D)660 × 460 mm
Height front / rear440 / 440 mm
Raised off the ground100 mm
Interior600 × 400 × 380 mm
Entrance1 × 150 × 180 mm, sill 80 mm
Chambers1
Geometry typeschematic envelope (assumption)
Bill of materials · compiler output

What you have and what to obtain

Quantities come from the model geometry; items marked as assumptions are planning allowances. Reused material must pass the checklist.

Fill in “My workshop” to see what you still need to buy.

My workshop
MaterialNeededOwnedStatus
EPS foam board5 sheets–Buy
Wooden crate1 pcs–Buy
Waterproof sheet or heavy bag2.07 m²–Buy
Heavy-duty tape1 pack–Buy
Bricks6 pcs–Buy
Straw1 bale–Buy
  • EPS foam board5 sheetssheet nesting · 5 × 1000 × 500 mm (planning format; check with your supplier).
  • Wooden crate1 pcsfrom geometry · A sturdy crate without protruding staples or nails.
  • Waterproof sheet or heavy bag2.07 m²from geometry · Waterproof wrap over the insulation; the entrance stays open.
  • Heavy-duty tape1 packassumption · Joining the wrap on the outside.
  • Bricks6 pcsassumption · Four stable supports under the corners.
  • Straw1 baleassumption · Loosely to a quarter or half of the height; keep the rest dry for refills.
Cut list

Parts to cut

IDPartDimensionsQty
out-floorBoard under the crate · EPS foam board600 × 400 × 30 mm1
out-longOuter panel, long side · EPS foam board600 × 410 × 30 mm2
out-shortOuter panel, short side · EPS foam board460 × 410 × 30 mm2
out-topTop board · EPS foam board660 × 460 × 30 mm1
Sheet nesting

Parts on sheets

Sheet formats are planning assumptions; check your supplier's format. Sloped parts occupy their rectangular envelope.

EPS foam board · 30 mm5 × 1000 × 500 mm

out-top
Sheet 1 · 61% used
out-floor
Sheet 2 · 48% used
out-long
Sheet 3 · 49% used
out-long
Sheet 4 · 49% used
out-shortout-short
Sheet 5 · 75% used
Layers and thermal

Known and unknown layers

Partial estimate: some layers are unknown, so no U-value is calculated. Only the resistance of known layers is shown.

Wall

  • EPS foam board · 30 mmR 0.79
  • Wooden crate · 15 mm (assumed)unknown

Known-layer resistance: 0.79 m²K/W

Floor

  • EPS foam board · 30 mmR 0.79
  • Wooden crate · 15 mm (assumed)unknown

Known-layer resistance: 0.79 m²K/W

Roof

  • EPS foam board · 30 mmR 0.79
  • Wooden crate · 15 mm (assumed)unknown

Known-layer resistance: 0.79 m²K/W

Not included
  • Air leakage through the entrance and joints
  • Thermal bridges through battens, edges and fasteners
  • Moisture, condensation and property changes of damp material
  • Heat produced by the animal
  • Wind and transient temperature changes
Assumptions
  • Thin layers without a sourced λ (roof covering, film, mat) are not counted.
  • Crate slats have gaps and an unknown species.

The estimate is not a temperature guarantee and does not claim the shelter is safe to any temperature.

Water and moisture

Weather exposure

A warm shelter that gets damp can be worse than a simpler one that stays dry. This is an explanation, not a condensation calculation.

  • Ground contactRaised about 100 mm off the ground.
  • Rain splashHigh enough that rain splash from the ground does not hit the floor.
  • Roof drainageThe lid is flat: water runs off to the sides. It must close well and the entrance must not sit below a drip edge.
  • Rain at the entranceThe entrance sill is 80 mm above the floor.
  • DryingWithout a service opening drying and cleaning are harder; change bedding through the entrance.
  • Absorbent materialThe material absorbs moisture; check it more often and replace it when damp.
  • Maintenance accessLeave room around the house for checks and cleaning.
Local price profile

Cost estimate

Quantities come from the model. Prices are not fabricated: enter what you actually pay locally and the estimate stays in your browser.

Prices entered: 0 / 6
EPS foam board5 × 1000 × 500 mm (planning format; check with your supplier).
5 sheetsRSD 0
Wooden crateA sturdy crate without protruding staples or nails.
1 itemRSD 0
Waterproof sheet or heavy bagWaterproof wrap over the insulation; the entrance stays open.
2.07 m²RSD 0
Heavy-duty tapeJoining the wrap on the outside.
1 itemRSD 0
BricksFour stable supports under the corners.
6 itemsRSD 0
StrawLoosely to a quarter or half of the height; keep the rest dry for refills.
1 itemRSD 0
Estimate from entered pricesRSD 0

Sheet, XPS, framing and hardware quantities come from the compiler. The estimate still excludes delivery, tools, labor, local taxes and unforeseen losses beyond the stated allowances. PROVISIONAL and product-specific items remain explicitly labeled.

Placement

Check the spot

Tick what applies to the chosen spot
No obvious issue detected

This is not a safety certificate for the spot: it only means none of the listed questions is ticked.

Bedding

What goes inside

  • RecommendedStrawRepels moisture and stays loose. Replace when damp, compacted or soiled, and when seasons change.
  • Not recommendedHaySoaks up moisture, turns cold and can mould. If already in a shelter, replace it with straw.
  • Not recommendedBlanketAbsorbs and holds moisture; a damp blanket chills. Wash and swap as soon as it is damp.
  • Not recommendedTowelAbsorbs moisture like a blanket. Wash and swap as soon as it is damp.
  • Not recommendedWood shavingsPartly absorbs moisture. Change when damp or compacted.
  • Not recommendedWashable dog bedDepends on fabric; textile absorbs moisture. Dry or swap as soon as it is damp.
  • Not recommendedNo beddingNothing to absorb moisture. Not applicable.
Maintenance

Inspection schedule

  • WeeklyCheck that the straw is dry and loose; replace it when damp or compacted.
  • WeeklyCheck for water or dampness on the floor and walls, especially under the entrance.
  • After stormsAfter rain or snow check the interior and the ground under the shelter.
  • WeeklyCheck the roof covering, overlaps and that water runs off at the rear, away from the entrance.
  • WeeklyCheck that screws and nails are tight and no tip protrudes.
  • WeeklyCheck edges: no splinters, cracks or swollen areas.
  • WeeklyCheck for scratching or chewing of the foam; protect or replace damaged parts.
  • After stormsClear snow from entrances and exits so the animal cannot be snowed in.
  • Each seasonClean the interior; service access must allow cleaning without dismantling.
Upgrade path

Where to go next

Each step states what you add, what you gain and what stays limited. A new model has a new plan ID; changing an existing build has no canonical plan.

No upgrade path is defined for this model yet.

Don't have this material?

EPS foam board · 30 mm
  • XPS foam boardabout the same layer resistance at 27 mm (conservatively 30 mm); thermal equivalence is not structural
  • PIR / polyiso boardabout the same layer resistance at 19 mm; thermal equivalence is not structural
  • Cork boardPossible substitute requiring redesign: at least one material has no sourced thermal conductivity, so an equivalent thickness cannot be calculated.
All substitutes and material limits
Build sequence

Build steps

Progress is stored in this browser against the exact plan ID; it works offline once the page has been opened.

0 / 7steps completed

  1. Check the crate

    The crate must be sturdy, without rot, protruding staples or nails. Check it with the reuse checklist.

  2. Insulate on the outside

    Fit eps foam board boards around the outside of the crate so the animal touches wood inside, not foam.

  3. Cut the entrance

    Cut a 150 mm × 180 mm opening through the insulation and crate slats, with the sill 80 mm above the floor so rain and snow stay out. Face the entrance away from the prevailing wind. Cover or sand sharp edges.

  4. Waterproof wrap

    Wrap waterproof film over the insulation, overlap it on the roof and tape it outside. The entrance stays open.

  5. Raise the shelter off the ground

    Set the shelter on four stable bricks, about 100 mm above the ground, so the floor does not touch cold, wet ground. Check that it does not rock.

  6. Add straw, not hay

    Loosely fill straw to a quarter or half of the interior height. Do not use hay, towels or blankets in an outdoor winter shelter: they absorb moisture and chill.

  7. Choose the spot and secure it

    Set it against a wall or fence, out of the wind, away from roof runoff and roaming dogs. Weight or secure lightweight shelters. Check the spot with the placement checklist.

Provenance

Sources and verification status

A source supports a guideline or material value, but it does not confirm this specific model. Container sizes are assumptions and build time is a planning estimate.

  1. Data validatedcurrent
  2. Geometry validatednot confirmed
  3. Engineering reviewnot confirmed
  4. Physical prototypenot confirmed
  5. Field validationnot confirmed
Alley Cat Allies · Tier 1Providing ShelterDescribes a community-cat shelter of about 2 ft × 3 ft and at least 18 in high for three to five cats, a doorway about 6-8 in wide, an entrance away from prevailing wind or a flap/L-shaped entry, straw rather than hay or blankets, pallets for elevation and scrap lumber from building supply stores or contractors.ASPCApro · Tier 1Winter Shelters for Community Cats: FAQs and Cold Weather TipsSupports small insulated shelters, cat-sized entrances, elevation from wet ground, straw bedding and predator-aware entrance decisions.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Tier 1Chromated Arsenicals (CCA)CCA-treated wood was withdrawn from US homeowner uses at the end of 2003, but older structures may still contain it. Do not burn it; use dust protection when sawing and wash hands after handling. Šapice therefore rejects unknown old treated timber wherever an animal could chew or lick it.U.S. DOE Building America Solution Center (PNNL) · Tier 1Typical R-Values and Vapor Retarder Classifications of Common Insulation MaterialsTypical R-value per inch: EPS 3.8-4.4, XPS 5, polyiso approx. 6, fiberglass batt or board 2.5-4, mineral wool board 3-4. Šapice converts these to planning λ ranges (λ = 0.0254 m / (R_IP × 0.1761)); a product datasheet always takes precedence.