Select the best. 

This house features a metal guard over the entrance hole to help prevent the pesky squirrels from chewing open the entrance hole.  You will not find a better constructed birdhouse with the features that this house offers.   Features include,  ¾ in Yellow pine lumber which is much harder than the cedar lumber and will last many years with proper care.  Predator guard, Rounded edges, oversize roof, Recessed floor, Front panel that is designed to open from the top or bottom which ever way you prefer. Grooved inside front allowing for easy exit by young, adequate ventilation, floor with mitered corners for vent and drainage.    See below for specific features. 

Features include

0. Construction
   0. Constructed from hand selected, seasoned 3/4” yellow pine lumber for durability and insulation.
   0. This lumber is much harder than the cedar wood and will offer many years of service when properly cared for..
0. Specifications
   0. The overall specifications are 7 ½” wide, 8 ½” Deep, 13” High.  Hole entrance is 1 ½” Diameter unless otherwise specified.  Nest area is 4 ¾” x 4”.  The entrance hole is located 6” above floor
0. Assembly
   0. My houses are assembled with rust resistant decking screws for strength and durability.
   0. Although it is easier and much faster to assemble a house with Brads, staples and nails but they have a tendency to loosen after a year or two and cause the house to separate at the joints.  Always buy houses that are assembled with screws.
0. Slanted Oversize roof.
   0. It is important for the roof to be slanted so that the water will drain off freely, and the oversize roof minimized any water penetration at the top and sides.
   0. The roof extends over the backboard which helps prevent any water in leakage where the backboard and roof meet.  Most builders will extend the backboard above the roof which is easier to build but does leave a joint where water can seep in.
0. Ventilation
   0. Ventilation is provided to help control over heating of the nesting area. The buildup of heat in the house is a main problem for the bluebird and every effort should be made to help reduce this by ventilation, color, and placement of the house
   0. There is a ventilation gap of approx ½” above the front panel and on each side of the house at the peak of the roof to help cool the house in hot weather.
   0. The floor is recessed with ventilation holes at each corner.
0. Drainage in case of water.
   0. The floor is recessed with ventilation and drainage holes on each corner.  These holes are created by mitering the corners.
   0. The mitered holes on the corners not only help in drainage if water, but assists in ventilation. 
0. Cleaning and observation
   0. This bird house is designed so that you can open it from the top or from the bottom which ever you choose.
      0. I set it up to open from the top because this way it is easier to view the nest area without the fledglings escaping the nest.
      0. You can change it over to open from the bottom by switching one of the bottom screws that the door pivots on to the top and it will pivot from the top and the bottom screw will hold the door in place.
      0. Cleaning is easy either way.  You just remove the screw that holds the door closed and it will pivot either up or down allowing easy access to the nest for cleaning.
      0. If desired you can drill a hole and insert a pin to hold the door closed instead of using the screw.
   0. The front panel is grooved to assist the fledglings as they exit the nest.
   0. Some houses are designed to clean by removing or hinging the top.  This makes the house difficult to clean and the house should be cleaned after each brood.
0. Appearance
   0. The top, front and predator guard have rounded edges.  Although this doesn’t mean much to the birds, it does make the house little more attractive in appearance.
0. Mounting
   0. These houses have predrilled mounting holes for mounting to a wooden post, building, tree etc.  However the ideal mounting method is to mount to a metal post.
   0. Mounting brackets for mounting to a farm T post are available for $1.50 ea.  You can also mount to a 1” round pipe with clamps, which are available at most hardware or plumbing stores.

Taking your house down for the winter will also prolong its life but if bluebirds reside in your area all year long as they do where I live, they also like to use their house during the winter months as a roosting box to escape the harsh winter elements.  Clean your house after each brood has left the house and the bluebirds may nest up to 3 times during a season.