DIY guy falls in love with stray cat, then builds him a purrfectly insulated outdoor home by hand to save him from -20 degree winter: 'His name is Archie, and he guards the place'

Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager

Mar 26, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

He said the main reason why he replaced Archie's outdoor "yurt" was because it was driving down his property value, but we think it's because he secretly loves him.

It's tough being an outdoor cat, especially in winter. With subzero temperatures, snow, sleet, and freezing rain, one of the most stressful parts of surviving outdoors is finding prroper shelter. And after falling in love with a stray neighborhood cat, this DIY guy couldn't let his new best friend suffer through the -20 temperatures this winter, so he took it upon himself to build a cat house (by hand) for his outdoor guard cat, Archie.

Now, this isn't some run-of-the-mill cat house. It's insulated from top to bottom, with entrances and exits, and even electrically heated floors to stay warm no matter how cold it is outside. Before he started building this, Archie had what they called a "yurt". It was basically a small cage with blankets covering it. And while that may be better than nothing, it's by no means sufficient to survive in such harsh winters. It was also, frankly, very ugly.

After weeks of work, our DIY guy finished, and Archie now has a new home. He keeps their home mouse-free, and in return, he gets food, love, and now, an upgraded penthouse. That sounds like a pretty good deal to us.

If you care for any outdoor cats during these cold months, please consider investing in an insulated cat house for them. It could just make a life-saving difference for them.

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via CaySalBank

Archie guarding the door
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via CaySalBank
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via CaySalBank

Archie's old house
This is probably what most people think of when they think of an outdoor cat's “house”. And if you live in a place with a mild winter, that might be enough. It provides a basic level of protection, and a bit of isolation from outside noises to help a cat relax. However, blankets can only hold in so much heat, especially if the ground itself is very cold.
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via CaySalBank

Basic build - just a bunch of 2x4s and some plywood
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via CaySalBank

Double insulation on all 6 sides. Temps can get down to -20F
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via barnez_d
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via CaySalBank

Some wood siding. Just 2x4s cut down to strips of about 3/8"
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via AnneinJapan
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via CaySalBank

Primer and Tyvek tape. Didn't need Tyvek, but thought I'd try to do it right!
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via Jaggar345
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via CaySalBank
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via @Wonderful_Mix977
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via CaySalBank

Just about finished. No, not gonna put a ridge vent up there.
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via Champion_of_Zteentch
It's sad to say, but the commenter above is correct! We're 100% sure Archie's house is better constructed and insulated than our own home. Our house gets freezing in the winter, but that's also because we grew up with a dad who never turned on the heat until it was absolutely necessary. “Put on a sweatshirt if you're so cold”, he would say. Or, “We have blankets in this house for a reason!”
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via CaySalBank

Ceiling insulation
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via CA_catwhispurr
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via CaySalBank

Electrical for his heated pad. Oh, and the paint matches our siding
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via NecessaryGoat1367
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via CaySalBank

Archie peeking in wondering where the **ll his house went
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via Amikejo1996
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All done!

via CaySalBank

I didn't think he'd venture in until next winter. He went in straight away (because his yurt is in there!)
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via Mr_Grey287