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How to build a catio?

Hi There I would like to turn my patio into a Catio but I don't know where to start, I have no building experience at all, I've also got to make it possum proof as I have a few possum pest that keeps hanging around.

in the photo on the left I'll need to add a door but I want to build it so the sliding door opens up into the cat play area

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Comments

JacobZ

Hi @catmom,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. it is wonderful to have you with us.

We'll have to fully enclose the space, so some photos that show all possible entry and exit points would certainly help.

What is on the left? What is behind where the photo was taken?

Attaching netting such as this Jack 1200mm x 10m Supa-Net Netting to the openings is often a great way to create a cat enclosure. You can attach it to the different surfaces of the patio using staples, screws or masonry anchors.

When you mentioned you would need to add a door, where exactly would you need to add that door?

There are options like bistro blinds that could enclose the space but still allow you to move in and out through the use of zippers. This could be an option for a door depending on where you'd like it to be installed.

Perhaps you can get some inspiration from some other cat enclosure projects and discussions, such as -

Allow me to tag @JoeAzza, @DIYGnome and @Dave-1 to see if they have some ideas.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Dave-1

Afternoon @catmom

Yeah I am waiting on a few more pics a swell 🙂 Good news is its doable 🙂 Making it possum proof, that may require a few revisits of th design until its solid.

Straight up Im thinking of the Bird Netting to go from the top of the outside of those timber slats down to the top of your trellis.

Coolaroo Shell Timber Fasteners - 50 Pack can be used to fasten the netting to the timber.

The over hang can be attached to the top side of the wall via a piece of timber with some screws through it into the brickwork.

Ramset 7.5 x 80mm Galvanised Masonry Anchor Screw - 100 Box (Note this is a 100box, there are smaller quantites but works out dearer)

70 x 35mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine - 2.4m is for the top bar along the brick wall. You could also use the same type of timber across the trellis to wedge the netting into.

Doorways to consider factoring in Pillar 90 x 200cm Black Magnetic Strip Flyscreen Door Curtain I am hopping there is a post somewhere to the left 🙂 as a solid edge for part of the door.

Will wait for pic for the last unseen areas.

Dave

catmom

Excuse the mess that's going soon

DIYGnome

Hello @catmom welcome to the forums, I built my second cat enclosure project late last year (during the height of the summer), this design maximises airflow without sacrificing security, the door is simply a box frame on h/duty hinges, I had considered opting for a heavy gauge mesh but preferred the aesthetics of the wooden slats, below you can see the basic layout of what was once little more than a doorless lean-to shed.

A similar approach could be employed to close in your end entry point regardless of the mesh selected for overhead, please no judgement I added CCTV for peace of mind 🤣

Screenshot_20250408-145531_Mirabella Genio.jpg

catmom

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/50905#Comment_50905

I love it

catmom

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/50897#Comment_50897

Its part of the balcony there's a tap there no way up or down

DIYGnome

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/87569#Comment_87569

Indeed @catmom a self supporting box frame (with accommodation for a door) could be made to enclose where the balcony begins to open up, smaller slats to those already employed on your home would tie in with the overall appearance, if this is intended as an all weather area for your cats laserlite UV sheeting would permit sunlight & redirect rain to maximise their space usability.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/109320#Comment_109320

Afternoon @catmom

Thank you for the extra photos, The net design I was outlining would work with that type of screen door I linked. You could attach a vertical piece of timber to the edge of the wall near those wooden shelves and that would give you a hard edge for one side of teh magnet screen. A Rope or timber piece from the top of the horizontal slats down to teh brickwork would enable the mesh to be hung over it. You could have some weights (timber/bessa blocks) across the ground to form a hard edge.

Dave

catmom

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121996#Comment_121996

Thank you can I buy the timber cut to size?

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130054#Comment_130054

Good Morning @catmom

Bunnings do offer a service to cut lengths of timber. They dont do precission cutting tho. If you want a piece of timber say 2m long and the lengths come in 2.4m and you want it cut down to 2m, then yes they would cut it. if you wanted it cut down to 2.05mm then they cut it a little longer and you trim it up at home. You still pay for the 2.4m length tho 🙂

Ive used it a few times to get stuff home and then later trimmed the pieces to the exact length I wanted.

I would have a chat with the Bunnings crew in the timber yard, as your pieces dont need to be so accurate (the ones I am thinking of) then it should be easy. Sometimes there is a small fee X$ for so many cuts type deal, but hit the crew up and they can step you through.

Dave

catmom

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135108#Comment_135108

Ok thank you

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138454#Comment_138454

Hi @catmom,

It's great to see you've received some helpful assistance from our member. I just also wanted to point you to this excellent article on Eight things to consider when building a cat run.