I have a large back porch that has a finished ceiling and concrete floor. The house comprises two of the walls - so want to put screening for the other two sides. I would like to use “screen” so that it keeps mosquitoes and flies out, but I am concerned that the screen netting won’t be sufficiently strong for the cats on the inside or possibly to keep raccoons out. So, is there a screen material that is strong enough? Thanks.
There is a heavier screen material that is touted as “animal screen”. It is much heavier and woven differently. It’s a little more difficult to put the screen in the standard channels, but mine has held up well to the little dogs running into it and the cat climbing it…I got mine at Home Depot or Lowes, but noticed that Walmart is also carrying it.
Can you do a half wall about 3 feet/4 feet high with screening on top? Or they make a welded metal “screen” material you could use that absolutely would be strong enough.
We have two girls - well into middle age - and they spend lots of time in our screened in pool space. Now in Florida it is the frames that are strong; not so sure about the screens. But our cats have not had any issues in five years. - no clawing at them, no trying to climb, nadda. Another friend, similar situation also no problem with her more agile active cats.
Regarding critters coming in: First, do not try something that we did - growing cat mint in a pot. We had a feral cat chew his way thru screen trying to get it. OK lesson learned… Also do not leave food out long enough to draw the raccoons. We feed on porch mostly, but canned food comes in after maybe 30 minutes. Definitely do not leave food out at night. I’ve never seen a raccoon in my yard, but neighbors, who feed a couple ferals, will get them.
Third recommendation: I would get a knowledgeable installer that can talk to you re screen types and a good structure. I had a handyman screen in a front porch for me back up north, and though it was ok, the screen was not the strongest, it was not pulled nicely taut, etc.
Thanks for the suggestions. I have now looked online at Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart and haven’t found the strong screen. But, since I know that it does exist, I will find it. The other option was a non-screen wire that is stronger, but I do want the flies and mosquitos to stay out. I’m looking at doing windows, too, but even with windows, there will have to be screens in the summer to make it nice.
We do have raccoons and though I won’t put food out there at all any more, they may expect it to be there as we have fed ferals there over the years. The last remaining feral whom I had spayed some years ago just became a house cat and this room is for her as she assimilates into the house - and us as it will be a very nice space.
Thank you! You would think that I would have thought to use the word “pet” in my search.
This is very helpful. Does anyone know where this might be sold in wider rolls?
Thanks. This should work especially implementing some other suggestions in this thread.
When its done you will LOVE LOVE it!
I think it’s a wonderful idea to screen in your porch like that. Your cats will love it. I have all of my windows screened with the animal proof stuff. My cats love to sit in the windows looking out, and I love knowing that they are much safer than they would be with regular screening.
The Siames Mafia live in a house that is literally 12’ from a busy road. They are permamently housebound. We do have a front porch that runs the length of the house, overlooking the road. After we bugscreened it in (PSA the black or charcoal bugscreening is much easier to see out of) we covered the inside with hardware cloth which is galvanized weld wire with 1/2" sq openings. Its permanent and has stood the test of 7 siamese escape artists for 10 years now. It came from a local hardware store but should be available at a big box store…
Warning…cuteness kitten alert…
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/macmtn/IMG_0730_zpsc145de1d.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/macmtn/IMG_0419_zpsc6c59092.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/macmtn/IMG_0872_zps11307684.jpg
And yes-they climb it all the time. Still looking for that way outside…
We also have cut pieces that fit inside the rest of the house windows so I can open them and still have safe cats. Those windows never lack for an attendant cat. Those screens can come out for the winter.
!! also we put clear plastic sheeting inside of the screening on the deck come cold weather. This adds several months to the time we can use it…a sunny mild winter day will find 7 cats and a couple of humans soaking up the solar warmth it provides.
Wow the Siamese Mafia are lucky kitties. They have their own jungle.
[QUOTE=macmtn;7663448]
Warning…cuteness kitten alert…
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/macmtn/IMG_0730_zpsc145de1d.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/macmtn/IMG_0419_zpsc6c59092.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/macmtn/IMG_0872_zps11307684.jpg
And yes-they climb it all the time. Still looking for that way outside.[/QUOTE]
I expected someone to recommend screen + hardware cloth.
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;7667628]
Wow the Siamese Mafia are lucky kitties. They have their own jungle.
I expected someone to recommend screen + hardware cloth.[/QUOTE]
what you see is only a small fraction of their trees. 7 cats demand at least 12 spots to claim as their own…an occupied spot is the most desirable. And desirable spots get the current resident tossed off. That cat then evicts another one. Repeat that all the way down the food chain til everyone is settled.
Sadly they destroy the carpet on new trees very quickly so have taken to covering the destruction with leather. New trees are not cheap…
I would love to offer their services as test cats for cat tree and tower makers. I
bet you can’t make a tree my cats can’t destroy.
I love the Siamese mafia photos.
I think you are right that the way to do it is with both screen and the hardware cloth. I was hoping to avoid using both.
Since the feral kitty is assimilating quickly into the indoor life, I have a little time so will probably have it designed and have it more like a sunroom - ish place.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
