How to Upcycle Your Scrap Trex® Boards into a Custom Dog Bowl

Giving your dog an elevated bowl makes mealtimes easier on their joints and digestion. But typical metal stands lack character, so why not DIY your own stylish dog bowl using your leftover Trex® composite decking? 

This easy project upcycles your Trex remnants into a useful and aesthetic piece your pet will love. Plus, as it’s made from Trex decking, your furry friend's new bowl will be easy to clean and incorporate the other great benefits of a composite material. 

Follow our step-by-step instructions below to build a custom elevated dog bowl that perfectly fits your pup. Let's get started!

Supplies You'll Need

• Two leftover Trex boards or decking samples cut to the same length (12” x 6” is recommended, though this can be adjusted based on your dog’’s size) 

• Jigsaw

• 60- and 120-grit sandpaper

• 2 stainless steel dog bowls with 1” lips

• 4 metal hairpin legs, 8-16” tall, with screws

• Power drill with Phillips bit

• Pencil

• Tape measure

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Measure and Mark Semicircles

Use a pencil to measure and mark a semicircle 3” from each edge of the Trex boards. The size of your semicircle will depend on the size of your bowls. Remember that we want the bowls to fit snugly with the lips resting on the decking. If you cut your semicircles to the same size as the bowls, they’ll fall through. We recommend stainless steel bowls with a 1” lip like these from Amazon.

For perfect symmetry, trace a full circular object with the same diameter your semicircle needs to be. Mark the center point of each Trex board. Then place the tracing bowl upside down on each board and trace half the circle at the 3” edge mark. A compass can also work for this step.

Step 2: Cut Out the Semicircles

Wearing eye protection, clamp the Trex board securely to your work surface. Then use a smooth, steady motion with your jigsaw cut along the semicircle lines. Cutting slowly will help you ensure you achieve clean edges.

Step 3: Smooth Edges

While Trex decking doesn't typically require sanding, gently smoothing the cutout edges can ensure your pup's safety and comfort. Briefly run 60-grit sandpaper over the semicircles and perimeter, then follow with 120-grit to create a smooth surface. 

Step 4: Attach Legs

Hairpin legs are ideal for this project as they complement the modern style of Trex decking and take up minimal space under the bowls. We recommend these legs which come in several heights to match your dog’s needs.

Center and position two hairpin legs at each end of the boards, about 2” in from the edges. Pre Drill the holes and then use a power drill to insert 3" exterior wood screws into the pre-drilled leg holes. Tighten the screws firmly to secure the legs.

Step 5: Add Support Bracket

If your chosen hairpin legs, do not fasten across both Trex boards, add a flat bracket to connect the two boards. We recommend adding brackets at the top and bottom connection points for stability.

Note: No bracket is needed if your legs span the entire width of the boards.

Step 6: Insert Your Dog Bowls

Place the 1” lip stainless steel dog bowls into the semicircle cutouts. The lips should fit snugly over the Trex edges.

Step 7: Consider Non-Slip Pads

Check if the assembled stand slides on your floors. While hairpin legs likely won't need them, other leg styles with bigger contact points may require non-slip pads on the bottoms to improve stability. Attach adhesive pads if you notice the piece sliding.

Step 8: Add Food and Water

Congratulations, your custom DIY elevated dog bowls are complete! Fill the bowls with your dog’s favorite food and water.

Upcycle with Trex!

Get creative with your own Trex scraps and build a custom elevated dog bowl stand your pup will love! Be sure to share photos of your DIY Trex creations online and tag @trexcompany to inspire other pet parents.