above the collar ties with three pieces
of pine 1x8 channel siding cut to fit.
Miter-cut the ends of the siding to 30°,
and slide them into place [^5 ]. Secure
the siding pieces with 2-in. finishing
nails driven through the back side and
into the rafters. I used channel siding
because I like its rough-sawn look, but
you could substitute pine 1x8s or even
plywood. Once you’ve installed the
siding, screw on the remaining ply-
wood roof panel.STEP 5 Cut the Loft Door
Use a circular saw to cut out the roost-
ing-loft access door from the ply wood
roof panel. Cut the door 16¾ in. wide x
32 in. long [ 6 ]. Next, take some ½-in.-
thick plywood and cut three 3-in.-wide
strips; make two 155/8 in. long, and one
32 in. long. Glue and screw these ply-
wood door cleats around the inside of
the roosting loft doorway; allow the
cleats to extend 1 in. into the opening.
Now cover each cleat with a strip of
adhesive-backed vinyl weatherstrip-
ping [ 7 ]. The 3/16-in.-thick x ¾-in.-wide
weatherstripping will help seal out
rain.STEP 6 Build the Loft Floor
Create the f loor of the roosting loft by
cutting five pine 1x6s to 43¾ in. long.
Lay the 1x6s across the collar ties
and fasten them with 2-in. finishing568756 November/December 2021