How to Build an Outdoor Cat Patio -- Tutorial to build a DIY catio

This video shows the steps to build a cat patio (catio). Easy DIY project using 2x2s to make an enclosed outdoor area for cats. Steps include building the base and side panels, attaching the panels to the base, and adding a roof and small access door.
Link to the full tutorial with cut list and dimensions: refreshliving....
Supplies to build a catio:
- 2" exterior deck screws - rstyle.me/+Sq02ns-yPJAUwo-tM2gECg
- 1x2' wire mesh (24" width) - bit.ly/3zka7X0
- 1" metal roofing screws - rstyle.me/+gREHjGrz_4j0rH_L0KIIHA
- Corrugated plastic roof panel - rstyle.me/+jlYhobPncMChxa17JgR2qw
- 2 - 2x4" treated boards (8' long) - for base
- 4 - 1x4" treated boards (8' long) - for top of base
- 12 - 1x2" treated boards (8' long) - to build the front, back, and side panels
- 2 - 1x2" boards (8' long) - for roof
MUSIC:
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.fi...
License: filmmusic.io/s...

[@Loolaroo1]

This is by far the easiest to follow catio video i have seen and believe me, Ive seen alot. thank you for giving us the info for the size of boards we will need .. I love the clean and minimal style !!

[@DJE-motion]

Built my catio this weekend. Still have a few more things to do. This was a great video! Very easy. And, this thing is STURDY! I read a comment that it was flimsy, but that guy must have not followed instructions.

[@MrJoeyPulio]

This was a great video, straight to the point with a simple concept that can be scaled up quite easily. Thank you so much

[@RefreshLiving]

Thanks! Yes, I was hopeful people would see the design as one that can be scaled to fit different spaces or window openings. Glad it was helpful!

[@tennesseegirl5539]

THE BEST DIY CATIO

[@RefreshLiving]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@jenk5317]

Thank you finally a video with no B's just great info ty

[@catgirlamy444]

They turned out to be “ok”?

[@psychedelikchameleon]

If she was a dog person previously, the difference in cats personality and care and interactions would be very noticeable!

[@ryleereynolds5710]

I always hated cats. Found a kitten a few weeks ago and have grown to love her. Still prefer dogs but yeah she turned out to be ok not as bad as I thought lol

[@kalayne6713]

​@ryleereynolds5710 Cat people rarely hate dogs, we love all animals, but cats are our favourites. But I have found many dog people say they hate cats. This is so awful. Historically, cats have had bad press as the companions of witches. But witches were usually wise women persecuted by the Church. Both women and cats got a bad name. It's really time we stopped saying 'I hate cats'. They are wonderful, intelligent, loving animals, different but also lovable like dogs.

[@wendyaminzadeh2165]

​@kalayne6713 - I have had both cats,& dogs in my life,&, I Love ❤️ both...

[@amandascott3481]

I will never understand people who “ hate” any animal. Great catio

[@anjadiedrich2316]

Wunderbar🤩 Vielen Dank für das super erklärte Video! Werde es jetzt im Frühjahr auch mit dem DIY Cat Patio probieren.😄😺😺😺😻

[@wendyaminzadeh2165]

This is very cute 😍

[@jmoses8286]

This is really good!

[@OneDollarNoHoller]

Perfect! Thanks for sharing!

[@abahr08]

I like these and I want to do this for my cat full-time but what do you do with bad weather i.e. rain and cold weather?

[@miss34ful]

Is there an updated link on the plans? This one seems to be broken now!

[@schism1986]

"the cats are.. ok.. i like them enough." calm down now....

[@12thparsec]

Is treated lumber not toxic to the cats?

[@msjovan4994]

Is there a spot where I can close it off completely and build a door I don’t have a access window besides the kitchen window

[@RefreshLiving]

You could just attach it to the side of the house without a door going in. Or add a second framing piece into he back and attach the wire mesh along the back as well. I put an access door on the side, but you could really add it anywhere.

[@robertkabatoff817]

looks good..

[@SweetTee13]

I loveeeeeeeeee it😂

[@skyaprilhome]

What kind of door did you use for your window for the cat to get access to the catio?

[@danielpatterson5342]

How do you secure it to the wall of your house? I’m concerned about predators tipping it over

[@RefreshLiving]

I used two screws (one on each side through the siding and into wood of the house). It's also screwed the the base in several places. We don't have any sort of big predators though, so you might have to do more depending on the animals you're dealing with

[@smoothinfldr6994]

Hi, does the supply list include the wood needed to build the door?

[@joydalton4987]

Fabulous

[@elsplace896]

I love it and will use to help me make mine for balcony window. How did you attach triangular seats?

[@RefreshLiving]

I screwed two 2x2 boards into the vertical studs on each wall. These formed a brace in each corner for the shelf to attach to. Then, I attached 1" thick boards (cut at 45 degree angles on each end) to the top by screwing from the top into those two corner brace boards.

[@reemnawaz1894]

What was your total cost?

[@booksandreams2543]

Is there a price breakdown? I rent so I’m looking for something that will be able to move with us if we have to leave this year but if it isn’t too expensive then I can always donate/toss it.

[@RefreshLiving]

I haven't done a recent cost breakdown. A reader did in December '23 and said it was about $300 for supplies where she was located.

[@TedMusgrove-th1gs]

Why not add a rain gutter and route it to their outside water bowl? And, anything that goes about a certain line, then can be routed to the yard? jk, I'm trying to get everything figures out for a Cat Cave for our neighborhood stray Cats.

[@RefreshLiving]

A little gutter would help to divert water away from the house though! Ours is under a very large eave, so not a ton of water gets on it.

[@kikidapiki344]

No access door? How did the inner shelf get attached? And the bench inside?

[@texturezz4189]

This is just a three-walled catio. You can see the back section is not closed off as she mentioned in the video, it's just against the house so the cats can't get out so I assume they used that opening to install the shelving and such before placing it against the house.

[@RefreshLiving]

Cat access door is in the window. Human (or mini human) access door is on the right side.

[@piolinalponceno149]

Hey, lovely design, but i am unable go access your blog. Could you please help out ?

[@hovgh1347]

where do you buy the 1x2" treated boards ,,,,

[@randomvideosuk1460]

Not easy job. Great 👍

[@Raven_ca530]

Me crying like a baby then my dad took over.

[@suzakuuuuu]

@@Raven_ca530 relatable

[@2005MarieEve]

Hi, I would love to know what are the measurements after assembly of your catio ? 🤗 Thank you for sharing ! I’m looking forward to build my own 😊⛏️

[@psychedelikchameleon]

You can head to the link she provides, which gives all the measurements 😀

[@maryrosebabala6054]

Can't access ur blog 😢 would love to try building one

[@couldntthinkofausername8411]

Do you ever have any concerns with it blowing over in the wind. Asking because that’s my biggest concern with building mine

[@RefreshLiving]

Good question. I was planning to attach each side with one screw per side, through my vinyl siding and into the plywood. But, I actually never did it, and it's hasn't gone anywhere in 3+ years. Because it's all mesh, I think the wind just goes right through it. Still, I'd recommend screwing into siding just to be on the safe side.

[@couldntthinkofausername8411]

@@RefreshLiving I have an apartment so I think I’ll probably just use a heavy base like you did and the mesh was something I didn’t think about! Did you consider netting/finer mesh im afraid of a wasp getting trapped in with the cats. Also thanks 😊

[@venusadum302]

What about a door?

[@drummking15]

I got 12 1x2s instead of 2x2s

[@ernestjoy8662]

hello may I know what did you use for installing the wire mesh to the frames?

[@wojcik1239]

im pretty sure she said staples in the video

[@georgiesolis2669]

How much would you guesstimate the catio cost to build?

[@RefreshLiving]

It was about $75 when I built it, but cost of lumber is more now. Using untreated lumber and just finishing with exterior grade stain to spend less than treated wood.

[@strawberrybaby6116]

What kind of screws did you use ?

[@RefreshLiving]

Exterior deck screws to attach all wood boards together. Tek roofing screws to attach pvc roof to frame.

[@ericd9853]

The audio is just horrible