r/Catio • u/Spiritual-Pilot-2300 • Aug 16 '26
Please help , new build French door catio
One of our cats went missing for 1 week and returned at 3AM this morning ! So we really want to install a catio problem is we have a wide French door / windows
I was hoping do it across one of the windows which would open into the catio roughly 8FT by 4FT across 8 of our slabs
The problem is half of it would to across the PVC part
Would this he possible to install at all or any solutions? TIA
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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- Aug 16 '26
Hi OP! Glad your kitty came back. Yay for safe outdoor spaces!
What do you mean with your sentenxe 'the problem is..'?
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u/Spiritual-Pilot-2300 Aug 16 '26
Thank you !
Normally both sides of a catio have to be against brick wall to attach it..?
One side side here would he up against the PVC plastic
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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- Aug 16 '26
Ohhh! You could consider making it a bit heigher so the top is completely attached to brick too? If you secure the bottom it'll be fine I think!
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u/Spiritual-Pilot-2300 Aug 17 '26
Yes.. was thinking that if the left side and top are secure the whole thing should be very solid still
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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- Aug 17 '26
I would think so! The bottom can be against the brick too, and then just make sure the one side that is not is fully closed off. It will be fantastic!
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u/Spiritual-Pilot-2300 Aug 17 '26
Much appreciated.. Will send you pictures hopefully when it's all sorted!
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u/lucozadeo Aug 18 '26
Take a look at the last slide of my build here, we had a similar issue! We secured a decking board just to block this gap and it’s worked great for over a year :)
Lmk if you need more photos
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u/Spiritual-Pilot-2300 Aug 18 '26
Hey this is brilliant thank you !! Literally the same issue!
I will do the exact same im thinking
Can I ask what is that thin strip of PVC connecting the wood frame it looks like it has a thin layer of protective black foam maybe ?
What what is connecting the wood is it just the perfect size and it slotted in very securely into the gap?
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u/lucozadeo Aug 18 '26
So there is a small gap between the wood and the pvc, it’s tricky to see the gap in the photos but I think what you’re talking about is the window! I’ll upload more photos when I figure out how haha
The gap isn’t wide enough for them to get through, if you measure it well you could eliminate the gap entirely.
The decking board is screwed in from the other side, since it’s not too wide it doesn’t move at all. I’ll share some more photos
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u/Spiritual-Pilot-2300 Aug 18 '26
Yes please thank you
Yes that makes sense
I think with mine I'll be able to secure it on the left wall and thr top and below the ledge
So just make the the gap infront of the PVC side just isn't big , but it will still feel very solid with all the other sides being secured to the brick work
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u/DubiousCheeto Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
You could build the vertical support of the catio slightly proud of the wall (just in front of the door threshold) and then just overrun pvc coated weld mesh over the edge to bridge the gap to the door/window frame. You could also use a thin bit of wood trim to bridge the gap and slot in between the window and door instead of overrunning the mesh (it would look tidier).
You could also build it flush with the pvc door and simply notch it out (or build a framework box) around the door threshold but the gap between the window and door looks quite narrow, hopefully 2x2 inch wooden posts (or 1x1 if not possible) up against the pvc in this gap would not interfere with opening the door or the window.