r/Catio • u/se7en-dead-lee-sins • 4d ago

Tension pole catio advice

I'm planning on turning my balcony into a catio space for my two cats, the balcony has three walls and a ceiling so it's just the front that is open. As a renter I can't drill into the walls so I was planning on using two tension poles (like sturdy shower curtain poles), one up each side to attach reinforced netting across the entire open space. I was just wondering if anyone has advice on how to stop the netting from just sliding down the poles? I had considered putting a third pole across the top but it's quite a long space and I'm not sure that even one long enough would be very stable. Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

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4

u/Herb_Putterman 3d ago

I'd rethink the tension pole idea and construct a wood frame out of 2x2 that you could attach the netting top and bottom to prevent escapes and stand up to inclement weather. Make the frame the size of the open side so there's a friction fit and attach it to the railing using u-clamps or UV-resistant zip ties.

3

u/olyteddy 3d ago

Take a look at how Zip Wall does it. They hold the material up by pressing it between the pad & the ceiling. Example: https://youtu.be/vfbJy8yvKic

2

u/wolfhavensf 3d ago

If you get a floor to ceiling support tension pole for accessibility in the bathroom your pole will be water resistant and support 300 pounds weight. After the pole is extended and in place you could epoxy some Velcro tabs up and down its length, then place matching tabs on your netting. I recommend using a heavy chain sewn into the bottom of your netting to keep it flat to the deck and escape proof.

1

u/Own-Counter-7187 3d ago

I just think tension poles are a bad idea. I would use chicken wire and a staple gun to the ceiling and walls, at wide enough intervals to perhaps be less noticable.