I don't know about metal birdhouses. Maybe you'd have to make something out of sheet metal?

this little birdhouse I did has been out for at least 4-5 years with no problem-I do take it in ( well, in the shed) in the winter.I don't remember sealing it, I may have painted underneath.
I can understand your worry, though, after putting so much work into it!

Maria

I don't know of any metal birdhouses either, but then again, I haven't exactly been looking for them.

For wooden ones, couldn't you seal them really well with some kind of marine varnish-- the kind they would use on boat hulls? Or what about making some from styrofoam?

Nancy

I have been looking at birdhouses too I want to mosaic for the spring. I was worried that every one I see is made of wood. I did find some with metal roofs but then they had flowers or vines all over them & wasn't even.

Then I remembered the piece of cement board I have, went online & found a bunch of patterns. As soon as it turns spring I have a honey-do list for DH. He asks how come all my projects end up being his projects as well. I dunno but it sure happens a lot.LOL!

I bought a small metal bird house a few years ago at a craft store. It was in the same area that metal containers were in. It gets very hot and the birds don't use it. But the bees do.
How about covering your wooden birdhouse with sheet metal like roof flashing, and then mosaicing on the sheet metal?

GGG

Tasy, I found this but it's pretty small. I'm still hunting though...

Here is a link that might be useful: 3 story birdhouse

How about plastic lumber?

Here is a link that might be useful: plastic birdhouse

Hi Nicethyme- The 3 story one's not too bad. It's a bit small, but the shards would bulk it up quite a bit... I wonder if there would be any issues with the rusty surface? It would probably need to be sealed first, so the shards would stick. The price is right as long as the shipping isn't outrageous. Thanks! Maybe I'll order one and try it!

Kathy

can't the wood be protected first, just the same as a fence or deck?

if it was done soon, by spring, the fumes would be gone or else, ask at the building supply what folks get, to season the wood for this type of preparation and finish.

I know that the bird houses that I will be mosaicing, have been outside for a few years already, before I put anything on them, so I figure the swelling and shrinking has already happened enough..well enough..lol

I favor the distressed and aged look on most things for a yard, or house for that matter.

I like canning jars, over cut glass for drinking and burlap over linens, always.

Becky .(*_*).

Hi Becky-
I did seal the birdhouse I'm working on with spar urethane, and for my own garden, I'm willing to risk it, but I'm planning to do a couple of birdhouses for Mother's Day gifts and would feel horrible if they fell apart... Once they are covered with shards, the houses tend to look a bit chunky. I'm thinking metal houses can handle the "bulking up".

Kathy

I am currently making styrofoam birdhouses with some tools I got from www.hwff.com as well as putting stucco coating on the outside of the houses. As far as attaching things to the outside of the houses for decoration, elmer's makes a new glue with a bull on the front of it (hardware stores) and it will stick anything to the stucco coating. If anyone is interested in any further infomation, my email is kdiver4@yahoo.com.

Hope this helps!!

Karen

Karen, thanks for that link to www.hwff.com-- loads of great tools there. I'm using styrofoam for the some pot stands and want to build a base for them out of styrofoam scraps. How to cut styrofoam has been a dilemma for me, so this was a neat find.

Thanks!

hey Tasymo, I'm contemplating the difficulty of making rianna method birdhouses... ever considered that? I'm thinking it could be done fairly straight forward using box templates...

Hi Nicethyme- Now that's a thought... then we could make any size or shape birdhouse we want! Guess I better study up on "the method"!

Now THERE she goes. NT - what an excellent idea. Y'all - w/the Riana method - there isn't ANYTHING you can't make w/it, and it's here for the archeologists to dig up. They are TOUGH! Great idea on the box templates. Cut/fold/bend/sew. Anxious to see your WIP. When you gonna mosaic the mushroom, NT??? Huuuuuuuuuury.

sorry more ideas than time right now, working a fundraiser for a friend next 2 nights, meanwhile readying the camper for vacation in 3 days... I'll be lucky to play with the crete when I get back in a week.

hey now... I can't pack the crete and sand, but who says I can't take the mesh and wire.... IT IS vacation right? LOL