Letting your cat onto your balcony is great for them getting some fresh air, but it obviously means you need to enclose the space. After all, the last thing you want is for your cat to launch itself off an open balcony!
There are plenty of creative ways to enclose a balcony, so let’s take a look at some. Below, we’ll cover 7 cat balcony enclosure ideas.
Considerations Before Building a Cat Enclosure
Before picking a cat enclosure, it’s worth thinking about the following to ensure you’re making the best decision:
- Balcony layout. A covered balcony will be much easier to work with than an uncovered one. An uncovered balcony will probably require some sort of roof.
- HOA rules. Check whether your HOA covers adding enclosures to a balcony. There might be some unusual rules you’re not aware of!
- Cost. A cat enclosure could end up getting pretty expensive. A fully DIY option might be cheaper but will take more work.
Although there’s probably more to say about building a cat enclosure, these points should be enough to be thinking about suitable options.
Balcony Enclosure Ideas for Cats
1. Cat Enclosure Kit
The most obvious option would be to buy a cat enclosure kit, such as these from Habitat Haven. Ideally, you’ll want a design that has a roof and that requires minimal screwing and drilling.
While these kits are designed for exactly this purpose, the main downside is that they can get pretty expensive. They also don’t look amazing, but this is the case for most cat enclosures.
Pros
- Designed specifically for enclosing balconies
- Usually fairly easy to build
- Can be suitable for renters
Cons
- Can get very expensive
2. Balcony Netting
Netting (such as this) is an easy-to-install option on covered balconies. You can still use it on uncovered balconies, but you’ll need something like posts to hold it in place. This might not be the most practical solution, especially if your balcony is windy.
You can fix this netting in place with zip ties, staples, or hooks. Self-adhesive hooks are a good option if you don’t want to make any permanent changes, although they won’t be as secure as zip ties.
Pros
- Fairly inexpensive
- Easy to install on covered balconies
- Less obvious than mesh wire
Cons
- Not ideal for uncovered balconies
3. Metal Privacy Screen
A metal privacy screen (such as this) should be enough to enclose a covered balcony. Of course, it won’t be as secure as netting, but you’ll benefit from being able to move the screens around as needed. This means you won’t permanently lose your view.
On the other hand, these metal panels are quite bulky. As with the netting above, metal privacy screens won’t be ideal for uncovered balconies, as they’ll leave a pretty big gap above.
Pros
- Flexibility over placement
- Can help block the opening on a covered balcony
- Provides privacy when in use
Cons
- Not a good option for uncovered balconies
4. DIY Cat Screen
This option is mainly designed for uncovered balconies. Along with preventing cats from getting through railings, you’ll also need to stop them from jumping over the screen. Luckily, you can do this with a few inexpensive materials.
You’ll need:
All you need to do is make some posts around 6-7ft high and then attach another section to the top at a 45-degree angle. You can do this with PVC pipes using 45-degree pipe elbows (such as this). Once you’ve got these posts, you’ll want to fix netting to them using zip ties and then secure them in place.
The overhang is designed to stop your cat from being able to jump over the screen, so it should be over your balcony.
Pros
- Easy to build
- Fairly inexpensive if you use the right materials
- Customizable to your balcony space
Cons
- Not the most attractive option
5. Bamboo or Reed Fencing
You can use bamboo or reed fencing to enclose both covered and uncovered balconies. All you need to do is zip tie the fencing to your existing railing and you should be able to create a barrier that stops your cat from escaping. While it might not have a roof, you can get fencing that’s 6-7ft. tall, which should be high enough.
The only real downside to this option is that it’s not as durable as mesh. You might find that strong wind breaks the canes or blows the fence down.
Pros
- Plenty of color and style options available
- Easy to install
- Can make your balcony feel very cozy
Cons
- Not as durable as other options
6. Plexiglass Panel Enclosure
Plexiglass panels are a good option if you want something permanent but don’t want to lose any visibility on your balcony. At the most basic level, you can drill holes in the panels and fix them to your railing.
But if you want a full enclosure, you’ll need to build or buy a frame. This video gives a decent method that you could adapt for your balcony.
Another option would be to use plexiglass sneeze guards (such as this). However, you might struggle to find readymade ones that are tall enough.
Pros
- You don’t lose any visibility
- Easy to adapt products to your needs
- More durable than mesh
Cons
- Plexiglass can be difficult to work with if you don’t know what you’re doing
7. Cat Window Box
Although this isn’t a balcony enclosure, a good alternative is to buy a window box for your cat. We’ve got a full article on window boxes for cats, so check that out for all the information you might need.
The main advantage is that you won’t have to adapt your balcony or worry about your cat escaping. Of course, the main downside is that your cat won’t have as much freedom as if it had the whole balcony.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, one of the options suggested here will help you to enclose your balcony for your cat. As you can see, it basically boils down to stopping them from jumping over the railing. So, whatever option you choose, make sure it keeps your cat safe.