"Roofless" decks that can keep in the cats
July 19, 2024 3:11 AM Subscribe
What are the most elegant ways to sit outside with cats without fear of escape -- but without looking at a full-scale addition to our home?
You are not a building permits or zoning officer, and you are not our building permits or zoning officer. That said, we're hoping to crowd-source some ideas around our particular situation.
We'd like to sit outside with the cats, ideally with some shade over our heads, but since they were woods-feral before we adopted them, we are strongly inclined not to put them fully outside.
Our initial idea was three-season screened-in porch, but despite the City first saying that was doable with a deck permit, they've now said what we're looking at is an "addition," which I strongly suspect will prevent us from doing what we'd like to do, given zoning laws, setback regulations, etc.
The current (very open) deck has a privacy fence on the street side, so whatever we replace it with will be right on the street. Being able to sit out and say hi to the neighbours would also be nice; my initial thought for cat-proofing was chicken wire, but frankly that would look like we're fixing for a Rage in the Cage match, and I don't have enough folding steel chairs to sustain that over time.
Do you have or do you know of great ideas for decks that can safely contain cats, don't look like Mad Max chicken-wire fight cages, and won't trigger the city's "this needs an addition permit" condition?
You are not a building permits or zoning officer, and you are not our building permits or zoning officer. That said, we're hoping to crowd-source some ideas around our particular situation.
We'd like to sit outside with the cats, ideally with some shade over our heads, but since they were woods-feral before we adopted them, we are strongly inclined not to put them fully outside.
Our initial idea was three-season screened-in porch, but despite the City first saying that was doable with a deck permit, they've now said what we're looking at is an "addition," which I strongly suspect will prevent us from doing what we'd like to do, given zoning laws, setback regulations, etc.
The current (very open) deck has a privacy fence on the street side, so whatever we replace it with will be right on the street. Being able to sit out and say hi to the neighbours would also be nice; my initial thought for cat-proofing was chicken wire, but frankly that would look like we're fixing for a Rage in the Cage match, and I don't have enough folding steel chairs to sustain that over time.
Do you have or do you know of great ideas for decks that can safely contain cats, don't look like Mad Max chicken-wire fight cages, and won't trigger the city's "this needs an addition permit" condition?
Best answer: Chicken wire is not that bad. We use it on our balcony. A metal mesh is going to be the only thing that keeps determined critters from biting through over time. You can paint the mesh black, which will help a lot. Use a paint roller once it's up. YardGard 2 inch mesh poultry netting is what we used.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:01 AM on July 19 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:01 AM on July 19 [1 favorite]
Seconding painting the wire mesh black to make it "disappear". Watch some videos on youtube showing you a before/after, it's crazy how much difference it makes.
posted by PardonMyFrench at 6:35 AM on July 19 [3 favorites]
posted by PardonMyFrench at 6:35 AM on July 19 [3 favorites]
We have a mesh tent that our cat absolutely loves and does not seem frustrated by. You could try putting one of those out. Much cheaper and smaller than a full catio so easy to try.
posted by music for skeletons at 6:54 AM on July 19 [1 favorite]
posted by music for skeletons at 6:54 AM on July 19 [1 favorite]
Cat harnesse, perhaps? Though that will depend on their personality. One of our cats loves to be outside. We used to let him out on an enclosed deck, but then we moved to a place where nothing like that could be built so we switched to a harness. He didn’t like it at first, but soon he associated it with getting to be outside and now he is quite happy to wear it.
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 7:04 AM on July 19 [3 favorites]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 7:04 AM on July 19 [3 favorites]
I strongly recommend looking into whether installing a screened in porch would be as difficult as you imagine. I have one and use it soooo much more than my friends use their decks. It is essentially my living room six months of the year, and increases my enjoyment of my house so much.
That said, if it really isn't possible for you, my back fence is steel welded wire in 2" by 4" rectangles, supported by wooden 4x4s. And I don't think it looks bad. (It'd look even better if I'd added wood across the top too, but I was too cheap for that.) For the sides you don't want a view from, you can encourage plants to grow or hang fake plants.
You can also use privacy screen panels- they come in a lot of patterns which in my opinion are cooler than the standard lattice.
posted by metasarah at 7:20 AM on July 19 [5 favorites]
That said, if it really isn't possible for you, my back fence is steel welded wire in 2" by 4" rectangles, supported by wooden 4x4s. And I don't think it looks bad. (It'd look even better if I'd added wood across the top too, but I was too cheap for that.) For the sides you don't want a view from, you can encourage plants to grow or hang fake plants.
You can also use privacy screen panels- they come in a lot of patterns which in my opinion are cooler than the standard lattice.
posted by metasarah at 7:20 AM on July 19 [5 favorites]
A screened-in porch is a bit different than a full 3-season room addition. There are a lot of landscaping companies that can help install a screened in porch for a relatively low cost (compared to an addition). Or you can DIY it with an option like this.
posted by hydra77 at 8:10 AM on July 19
posted by hydra77 at 8:10 AM on July 19
Not specif for deck but general on Cat proofing. I have added this cat proof netting to top up the existing garden walls and fence around my small deck and garden.
I bought it here in Austria where i live but am certain it is also sold in the US.
My cat also lived outdoors for years, so i wanted to make sure she cannot leave our garden.
The important part is the inward facing slope, which prevents her from jumping and scaling the fence. She can and would if she could scale a vertical fence of 3 meters (i watched her do it sadly no video, i was too shocked). But with this inward facing topper she will stare hard at it, even attempted jumping onto it, but cannot overcome it, because it will not hold her weight she cannot climb it.
And it is black, i agree that makes it less visible.
posted by 15L06 at 9:09 AM on July 19 [1 favorite]
I bought it here in Austria where i live but am certain it is also sold in the US.
My cat also lived outdoors for years, so i wanted to make sure she cannot leave our garden.
The important part is the inward facing slope, which prevents her from jumping and scaling the fence. She can and would if she could scale a vertical fence of 3 meters (i watched her do it sadly no video, i was too shocked). But with this inward facing topper she will stare hard at it, even attempted jumping onto it, but cannot overcome it, because it will not hold her weight she cannot climb it.
And it is black, i agree that makes it less visible.
posted by 15L06 at 9:09 AM on July 19 [1 favorite]
There’s a cardio Facebook group, but I can’t link to it right now. There’s some amazing stuff in there.
posted by manageyourexpectations at 9:23 AM on July 19
posted by manageyourexpectations at 9:23 AM on July 19
Just a note that plastic netting, e.g. pigeon netting, even the high quality stuff made out of knotted nylon twine, will not be strong enough to resist a determined cat who has teeth. Greg chomped right through the cat/bird-proofing stuff we put up earlier for her uncles; that's why we got the poultry netting.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:45 AM on July 19
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:45 AM on July 19
Second the idea of using harnesses. Use a retractable chalk line for the leash. When they are done, you can just reel them in.
posted by Ferrari328 at 11:05 AM on July 19
posted by Ferrari328 at 11:05 AM on July 19
Hmm, maybe something like this Purrfect Fence around your deck? Unfortunately it doesn't provide shade for you.
There are also lots of portable mesh tent contraptions that might work. Not usually elegant though. Not sure I would ever leave a cat unattended in them.
This type is temporary, designed to be taken down in the winter. Seems like it shouldn't require a permit at all as a temporary structure, but I don't know your city.
I would also try to find out exactly what is triggering the permit change. Where I live building basic structures in the setback is fine as long as they aren't too large.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:51 PM on July 20
There are also lots of portable mesh tent contraptions that might work. Not usually elegant though. Not sure I would ever leave a cat unattended in them.
This type is temporary, designed to be taken down in the winter. Seems like it shouldn't require a permit at all as a temporary structure, but I don't know your city.
I would also try to find out exactly what is triggering the permit change. Where I live building basic structures in the setback is fine as long as they aren't too large.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:51 PM on July 20
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In terms of making a "roofless" catio, maybe it would be possible to construct a pergola-type open ceiling over the deck without an addition permit. You could enclose it using the hardware cloth or deer fencing, and then place a cloth canopy over it for shade.
posted by nanny's striped stocking at 3:39 AM on July 19 [1 favorite]