Tag Archives: cat gate

If you have read my previous posting on FAIL v1.0, v1.1 and v1.2 DIY Cat Gate projects, you will understand why I need to build a Cat Gate v3.0.

Design Feature: 6 foot tall pet safe screen gate with door, removable windows,  frame is attached to the railing by using cable ties, there is not even a single nail or screw to the floor or on the railing.

Materials:   All materials are from Home Depot.  (1) Pet safe screen, very expensive around $35 CAD for only 6 feet but they are really tough with fabric reinforced. I tested it and have been using it in previous projects, they are really claw safe. (2) Frame – Light weight Pine 1″x2″ in 6′ and 8′.   (3)  Cedar 3/4″x”3/4 for windows frame.  (4) Other hardware including  angle brackets, hinges, handles, magnetic lock, etc.

DIY Details (See photos below): Building the frame is relatively easy, the whole structure is connected by angle brackets with #6 x 3/4 screws. For door hinges reinforcement,  I glued 2 pines together as it takes a lot of weight and torque. The windows screen is secured by same brackets with different size of screws #6 x 5/8, then  stapled the pet screen onto it. To make it look better, I ironed the black veneer edging on top of the edge of the screen. This is just  to hide the ugly staples. As mentioned in the design feature, I cable tied the whole structure to the existing railing (3 cable ties were used).

Next, I start building the door frame, and my wife asked me a question “Why is there a diagonal bracing on the door? It’s ugly”.  Very good question, but this has to be done regardless of the look, it is for preventing the door from sagging.  Even the “professional” guy I hired to built my fence, he didn’t do this. After 2 years, the fence door sagged so badly I had to buy a sag gate kit (metal cable) to fix it.  Sigh… 

For easy access and to comply fire code, I just use magnetic lock and fortunately Cats do not have enough power to open the door.  Now, the project was almost done, but I was facing one last challenge, the removable windows were not secured. How can I make them secured?  Okay, one more trip to Home Depot and found the “Mirror Clips”, well I had to cut the end to make it flat and it was working perfectly.

Total Time Taken + Cost: One weekend and $200 CAD –  there was no planning at all, not even sketch or mockup. All brainstorming was done while walking in Home Depot (Yes, that’s my style).

As you can see, Mythos and Rini are now behind the gate v3.0, and they are much safer staying upstairs.