Help...kitty "balcony enclosure"

Not sure this is the right forum, but...

I have a 3rd floor apartment with a balcony that's approximately 4' x 8'. My thought is to put a lightweight screened enclosure that fights tightly within the confines of the balcony perimeter.

Basically, I have two ideas - to have a shorter one (about the height of the top of the railing - 36" or so) that would necessitate blocking off the top of the sliding door when it's open, to allow the cats in to the enclosure but yet not allowing to jump on to the top of the enclosure, and another that's the full height of the slider, so I could just open the door all the way, and even go inside of it myself, if I wanted to.

There are other issues like bugs getting into the apartment and such, but I'm not to the point yet of deciding on proper screening and whatnot. I just want to know if anyone one has heard/seen of any such thing for an apartment balcony that's of decent size.

I'll try to get pictures of the balcony tonight if it will help clarify the issue.

Thanks!!

Maybe this thread will help? It talks about the appropriate screen, and it was also someone looking to work with their balcony: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=193626

That sounds like a REALLY nice idea for the kitties. With proper netting/screen combo, bugs shouldn't be a problem. But it might be easier to just enclose the whole balcony area rather than to create the two-tier system?

Laurie

Originally Posted by LDG

That sounds like a REALLY nice idea for the kitties.

With proper netting/screen combo, bugs shouldn't be a problem. But it might be easier to just enclose the whole balcony area rather than to create the two-tier system?

Laurie

Click to expand...

Yes, you're absolutely right; in fact, that was my first idea when I was considering such a project. But the balcony is made of recycled plastic, so I'm not sure of any way to attach screen of any sort to it without defacing it. That's why I thought of going with a separate enclosure that I can hoist to or from the balcony with a rope, or just take it apart if need to, like with a PVC frame.

If you have ideas on how I could just enclose the balcony, that's what I'm looking for!

EDIT: Well, I looked at your link, and I feel like a bit of a fool. I guess I should have done a search first, looks like this has been tackled in detail!

No, not directly. That person isn't allowed to put up an enclosure for the cats, so needed something that wouldn't be permanent. I think the difficult part is figuring a low-cost way to get the frame for the screen or netting, but a hardware store should be able to help to not only figure that out, but how to fasten it.

I wouldn't have ANY idea how to fasten to PVC without damaging it! I do think you'll have to roll with some kind of frame.

Maybe send a private message to the poster in the link to see what they came up with?

I'd love to know what you decide to do - it seems to be becoming more popular!

Laurie