Features  of this deluxe model include

1. Construction
   1. Model #1002 Constructed from seasoned 1” yellow pine lumber. (This is a durable lumber and harder than the cedar woods)
   2. These houses are assembled with rust resistant decking screws for strength and durability
   3. Although it is easier and much faster to assemble a house with Brads, staples and nails they have a tendency to loosen after a year or two and cause the house to separate at the joints. 
2. Specifications
   1. The overall specifications are 7 ½” wide, 8 ½” Deep, 13” High.  The hole entrance is 1, 9/16” Diameter unless otherwise specified.  This hole size will work for Eastern, Mountain & Western varieties of bluebirds.  The nest area is 4 ¾” x 4”.  The entrance hole is located 6” above floor
3. Predator Guard
   1. This house is equipped with a predator guard.
      1.  The predator guard will minimize predators such as cats, raccoons, starlings and others from being able to reach the nesting area.  This also reduces squirrel’s ability to chew out the hole.  It can also be equipped with a metal guard for squirrel prevention.
4. Slanted Oversize roof.
   1. The roof is slanted at a 15 deg angle to assure proper water runoff.
   2. The roof extends 1 in over on each side of the house to further prevent any water from entering the nesting area.
5. Ventilation and Drainage
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. The floor is recessed with ventilation and drainage holes at each corner.  These holes are created by mitering and beveling the corners at a 30 deg angle.
   4. The beveled holes on the corners not only help in drainage if water somehow enters the house but assists in ventilation and the beveled corners are recommended to help with blowfly infestation which could destroy the nest. 
6. Cleaning and observation
   1. The front panel is designed to open from the top or bottom which ever you like.  Unless specified it will hinge from the bottom and swing down from the top by loosening the top screw on the side above the entrance hole.  This allows for easy cleaning and viewing of the nest area to observe the young  and by swinging down from the top helps prevent any young from jumping out of the nest as can happen if it opens from the bottom.  It may be changed by removing the screw that holds the door closed at the top and screwing it in at the top for a pivot screw and using the other bottom screw at the bottom for your screw that holds the door in place.
   2. This panel is grooved to assist the fledglings as they exit the nest.
7. Appearance
   1. 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.
8. Mounting
   1. These houses have predrilled mounting holes for mounting to a wooden post, building, tree etc. 
   2. Mounting brackets for mounting to a farm T post are available for $1.50 ea.  You can also mount to a 1” round pipe and clamps, which are available at most hardware or plumbing stores.
9. Weather protection
   1. All woods are subject to deterioration, splitting, warping and cracking from the elements.    A good coat of clear finish or paint will prolong the life of this house and should be repainted occasionally to keep water from penetrating the wood. 

Taking your bluebird house down for the winter will 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 bird 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.