Haunted Halloween Western Manor

Before you begin cutting, take time to study the six steps included in the project file. Each step is organized by the type or tone of wood used, helping you achieve a rich, layered appearance once assembled. By incorporating three to four different wood types, you’ll create natural contrast and a beautifully finished look that brings the haunted house to life.

Here’s how the materials are organized within the file:

• MDF (5–6mm) – Used for the base structure, providing stability and strength.
• Ebony Plywood (3mm) – Used for the roof panels, fence sections, and window frames to add a darker, weathered accent.
• Birch Plywood (3mm) – Used for the main exterior walls and front door, giving a lighter, aged wood appearance.
• Basswood Plywood (3mm) – Used for tombstones and decorative details, easy to engrave with fine lettering.
• Translucent Acrylic (3mm) – Used for the window glass, allowing light to softly glow from within.
• Black Glossy Acrylic (3mm) – Used to create the dead tree, adding contrast and a dramatic silhouette.

In addition to cutting, you’ll also be scoring and engraving to achieve a weathered, tattered look across various panels.

Once you’ve selected your preferred wood and acrylic sheets, set the focus on your laser, check your material settings, and map out your cutting area in Creative Space. You’re now ready to cut, score, and engrave the haunted house parts.

Before assembling your Haunted Western Manor, take a little time to enhance the details and protect your wood surfaces. This prep work makes a huge difference in the final look and durability of the project.

Start with the roof panels, which feature engraved tiles and cracks. To make these engraved details stand out more, follow these steps:

1. Seal the wood – Apply a light coat of clear spray polyurethane to the plywood. This seals the surface and prevents paint from soaking too deeply into the grain.
2. Add depth with paint – Once the polyurethane has dried, use black or brown acrylic paint to fill the engraved cracks and lines.

• Place a small amount of paint on a hard surface.
• Dip your fingertip lightly into the paint and rub it into the engraved areas of the wood.
• Allow the paint to sit for a few minutes.
• Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove excess paint from the flat areas.

You’ll notice how the details pop beautifully after this process. (Refer to the before-and-after images in your file for visual reference.)

After enhancing the engraved details, apply a light coat of clear polyurethane to all other pieces. This will help seal the wood and give it a clean, finished appearance.

⚠️ Tip: Avoid applying too thick a coat near the finger joints or slot connections, as this can interfere with a snug fit during assembly.

Allow all pieces to fully dry before moving on to the next step.

Now it’s time to start bringing your haunted house to life! Begin by installing the window glass and assembling the main structure of the house.

1. Attach the Window Glass

• Place each piece of 3mm translucent acrylic on the inside of the corresponding exterior wall panels.
• Use a small amount of CA glue to secure the acrylic in place. A little goes a long way here—avoid excess glue to prevent smudges or clouding.
• Allow the glue to fully dry before moving on to assembly.

2. Assemble the House Walls

• Once the window glass is secured, begin assembling the four wall panels of the house.
• Use painter’s tape to hold the pieces in place while test-fitting. Make sure all finger joints and slots align correctly before applying glue.
• When you’re confident that the fit is correct, apply glue to the joints and assemble the walls.

⚠️ Important: Do not glue the house to the base yet. You’ll need interior access later if you plan to add lighting.

3. Add Window Frames and Roof Panel

• Once the walls are secure and dry, attach the outer window frames to each window. These will give the structure a finished, dimensional look.
• Locate the rear roof panel and attach it now. It’s optional to glue the top roof panel—if you prefer easy access for lighting installation, leave it unglued for now.

Your haunted house should now be standing proudly with its eerie windows and a strong, square frame. You’re ready to move on to the next part of the build.

Next, you’ll construct the front steeple—the defining feature that gives your haunted house its eerie, towering presence.

1. Gather the Steeple Components

• Collect all the pieces for the front steeple, including the front door and the tiered section pieces. Lay them out in order so you can easily identify the bottom, middle, and top sections.

2. Assemble the Bottom Section

• Start with the three pieces that form the base of the steeple.
• Dry-fit the pieces first to ensure proper alignment, particularly around the holes that connect to the front wall of the house.
• Once satisfied with the fit, glue the door in place and then glue the bottom section together.

3. Add the Tiered Separators

• Locate the three square, tiered pieces—these will separate the bottom section from the middle section.
• Align them carefully, dry-fit, and then glue into position.

4. Build the Middle and Top Sections

• Repeat the same process for the middle and top sections of the steeple, stacking each layer neatly.
• Once everything is aligned, apply glue to secure.
• The top section includes the small slanted roof—make sure this is properly positioned before final gluing.
• Dry-fit one last time to confirm alignment, then glue the top section in place.

Once dry, your steeple should sit proudly at the front of your haunted house, adding height, depth, and a distinctly spooky silhouette.

With the main structure complete, it’s time to bring your Haunted Western Manor scene together by adding the finishing touches.

1. Install the Dead Tree

• Take the black glossy acrylic tree and carefully slot it into the three openings located at the rear of the house.
• The tree adds height and balance to the overall scene, creating a dramatic, eerie silhouette behind the house.

2. Assemble and Attach the Fence Panels

• Locate the four fence sections and begin positioning and gluing them around the perimeter of the yard.
• Each fence piece is designed to slot securely into the base, with male and female connectors at the ends for easy alignment and stability.

3. Handle with care—the delicate fence posts can be brittle and may break if too much pressure is applied during assembly.

• Once aligned, gently press each section into place until all four sides form a complete enclosure.

At this stage, your haunted house should have its tree and fencing installed, completing the scene’s haunting atmosphere. All that’s left is to bring it to life with lighting and final presentation touches!

The final step brings your Haunted Western Manor to life—literally! It’s time to install your lighting and complete the finishing touches.

1. Add Interior Lighting

• This is where your creativity shines—pun intended.
• Use LED strip lights, fairy lights, or any low-heat lighting of your choice to illuminate the inside of the house.
• You can thread the lights through the back or base of the structure, depending on your setup.
• Refer to the pictures included in your file for examples of how the lights can be arranged to create an eerie, glowing effect through the windows and cracks.

2. Attach the Final Roof Panel

• Once your lighting is in place and working as desired, set the top roof panel in position.
• You can choose to leave it unglued if you’d like future access to the lighting components—or glue it down for a more permanent finish.

3. Showcase Your Work

• Once everything is finalized, find the perfect spot to display your Haunted Halloween Manor. Whether it’s on a shelf, windowsill, or in your Halloween display, it’s sure to grab attention.
• Turn on the lights, dim the room, and enjoy the haunting glow of your handmade creation.