🖼️
The project:
I designed this custom catio from the ground up and built it with my two kids to give our cats, Teddy and Dexter, a safe outdoor space to climb, explore and relax. Featuring a sturdy timber frame, climbing platforms, an observation deck overlooking the chickens, concrete pavers and pebbles for the flooring and a steel roof, it's designed to keep the cats safe while protecting local wildlife. With a tunnel to the house still to come, this project has been a rewarding family adventure creating what I hope becomes our cats' favourite place to hang out.
- Materials:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-100mm-galvanised-strap-hinge-with-brass-pin-2-pack_p4230234
https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-200-x-12mm-galvanised-steel-high-security-padbolt_p0080661
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ki-carma-20kg-road-base-landscape-stones_p0130552
https://www.bunnings.com.au/70-x-35mm-outdoor-framing-h3-treated-pine-2-4m_p8032103
https://www.bunnings.com.au/tuscan-path-4-6mm-5kg-natural-mixed-decorative-pebbles_p0349788
https://www.bunnings.com.au/1200-x-897mm-12mm-plywood-pine-bc-grade-12mm_p0390158
https://www.bunnings.com.au/cabot-s-4l-colorbond-monument-timbercolour-deck-exterior-paint-4l_p0435269
https://www.bunnings.com.au/fielders-1800mm-0-42mm-bmt-zincalume-s-rib-corrugated-steel-cladding_p0910034
https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-8-10-x-60mm-galvanised-countersunk-rib-head-timber-screws-500-pack_p2420880
https://www.bunnings.com.au/jack-90cm-x-30m-25-x-25mm-cage-mesh_p3069128
https://www.bunnings.com.au/paslode-12-x-2-0mm-100g-galvanised-staple-nail-130-pack_p2360409
- Tools:
Makita Impact Driver
GMC Mitre/Drop Saw
Ozitio Jigsaw
Ozitio Sander
Hammer
- Step 1:
The first step was to remove and old garden bed to create the space for the catio. Once the ground was leveled I put down a layer of weed matting and then a layer of road base to create an even foundation for a sturdy wooden frame to attach the main structure to. Building the wooden frame was the first time I had even used a power saw which seemed scary at first but once I made my first cut I found it wasn't scary at all.
- Step 2:
The next step was to paint all of the timber. It felt like it would never end, there was so much timber…. Luckily the weather was warm and sunny so the paint dried quite quickly.
- Step 3:
After many drawings and measurements, my blueprint was ready and it was time to start constructing the timber frame. I built the back wall slightly taller than the front so the roof slopes down at the front to allow any water to run off into our yard instead of creating a new water feature down the neighbours fence when it rains.
This is where I needed to enlist the help of my 2 kids. I needed the extra hands to hold up walls while securing the frame together. You can see by the look on Teddy's furry little face that he is not yet impressed by my building skills.
- Step 4:
Once the timber frame was up it was time to wrap the structure in wire mesh to keep the miniature wannabe escapees contained. I used 'U' shaped nails to attach the wire to the frame and after many smashed thumbs and swear words it was finally done. This where I wish I would have hired a staple gun, it would have saved me a lot of time and pain. As you can see in the previous photo, I did line the back wall with the mesh first, while the frame was on the ground for convenience.
- Step 5:
Adding the roof was the next step. Once the rafters were installed, my daughter and I put the roofing sheets on. I did rush this step because I am impatient and we were losing the light quickly on Sunday afternoon which did result in the roof being slightly crooked. Luckily the cats haven't noticed yet.
- Step 6:
In order to keep the feline inmates, I mean residents contained, the door was the next step. My first attempt was a little bit big so after cutting it down a bit, I attached it using 3 strap hinges and installed a galvanised padbolt to keep the door from being opened by the terrible twosome.
- Step 7:
Luckily I had a random pile of concrete pavers hanging around the place which turned out were the perfect flooring solution for the catio. For some reason, cats love to roll around and lay on a concrete floor. I also used some smooth pebbles for a quarter of the flooring for a contrast in texture and to give the cats something to dig in.
- Step 8:
The last step was the most fun, the interior design. I didn't have a detailed plan for this step, I just started with one platform and worked out what worked best from there. Along the front wall I placed a series of staggered platforms/steps so the cats could access the higher levels without too much effort. Along the back wall I used an old hardwood plank that spanned almost the whole length of the structure.
In the top left corner I installed a plywood platform so the nosey furballs can snoop on the neighbours and underneath that there is a second platform that holds a small cubby house so they can hide away from the prying eyes of their mortal enemy, the dog. We wrapped the pillar supporting the platforms with jute rope so they can sharpen their weapons, I mean claws when they feel the need.
I also built an observation deck off the side of the catio that overlooks the chook pen so they can stalk their prey from a safe distance. It is lined with hardwood planks as there is no roof on the deck so they can bask in the sunshine while they fantasise about oneday catching their prey.
The next part of the project is to plan the tunnels to allow the cats to escape the prison (the house) they are locked up in by making an exit from the kitchen window, along the side passage and into the luxury penthouse in the backyard.
