Home Animals 4×8 Catio – Free DIY Plans

4×8 Catio – Free DIY Plans

by Ovidiu

 

This step by step diy woodworking project is about a 4×8 catio plans. I have designed this small catio so you can create a sturdy enclosure for your cats, using basic tools and save a tone of money by doing the project by yourself. This catio features a lean to roof and a side door for easy access when cleaning the inside. Take a look over the rest of our woodworking plans, if you want to get more building inspiration.

When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the project won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

 

 

Projects made from these plans

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4×8 Catio Plans

Building-a-4x8-cat-house

Building-a-4×8-cat-house

 

Cut & Shopping Lists

  • A – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 48″ long, 2 pieces -93″ long BASE
  • B – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 96″ long, 2 pieces – 91 1/2″ long BACK WALL
  • C – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 96″ long, 4 pieces – 85″ long, 6 pieces – 30″ long FRONT WALL
  • D – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 45″ long, 3 pieces – 85″ long, 2 pieces – 20 1/4″ long SIDE WALL
  • E – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 45″ long, 3 pieces – 85″ long, 2 pieces – 16 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 24″ long SIDE WALL
  • F – 7 piece of 2×2 lumber –  50 1/2″ long RAFTERS
  • G – 2 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 51 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 96″ long TRIMS
  • H – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 69″ long, 2 pieces – 24″ long, 1 piece – 21″ long, 8 pieces – 8 3/4″ long DOOR
  • I – 50 sq ft of policarbonate ROOF
  • J – 4 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 26″ long, 4 pieces – 14 1/2″ long, 4 pieces – 30″ long, 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 7 1/4″x30″ long SHELVES

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One weekend

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How to build a 4×8 catio

Back wall frame - 4x8 catio

Back wall frame – 4×8 catio

The first step of the project is to build the wall frame that goes against the house. Cut all the components from 2×2 lumber, as shown in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the studs. Make sure the corners are square and check if the diagonals are equal.

Front-wall-frame

Front-wall-frame

Next, but the opposite side wall for the catio. Start by cutting all the components from 2×2 lumber, following the info in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the plates and then insert 3 1/2″ screws into the studs.

Side-wall-door-with-catio-plans

Side-wall-door-with-catio-plans

Build the side wall for the catio, that has the door opening. Frame the door by installing the double 2×4 header. Make sure all the corners are square and align the edges flush. You can adjust the size of the door to suit your needs.

Side-wall-frame-for-4x8-catio

Side-wall-frame-for-4×8-catio

Build the other side wall for the catio, using the info from the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the studs.

Assembling the base for the catio

Assembling the base for the catio

Use 2×4 pressure treated lumber for the base of the catio. Drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock them together. Make sure the corners are square and align the edges flush. Select the location for the catio and level the ground thoroughly. You can pave the are under the catio.

Assembling the 4x8 catio frame

Assembling the 4×8 catio frame

Next, you need to assemble the catio. Align the bottom plates to the base of the catio, making sure the edges are flush. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the base. Check if the corners are square and align the edges. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock everything together tightly.

Building the rafters - 4x8 catio

Building the rafters – 4×8 catio

Build the rafters for the catio roof using 2×2 lumber. Make the 7.5 degree cuts to both ends of the rafters using a miter saw.

Fitting the rafters

Fitting the rafters

Fit the rafters to the top of the catio and place them every 16″ on center. Drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock them into place tightly.

Fitting the roofing sheets - diy catio

Fitting the roofing sheets – diy catio

Fit the policarbonate sheets to the top of the catio. Align the edges and insert the appropriate screws to lock the sheets to the rafters. The policarbonate sheets will protect the catio from the elements, but in the same time it will let the light get through.

Fitting the mesh to the 4x8 catio

Fitting the mesh to the 4×8 catio

Attach the wire mesh to the exterior of the catio. Make sure you staple the mesh to the frame of the cation thoroughly.

Side roof trims

Side roof trims

Use 1×3 lumber for the roof trims. Make the angle cuts at both ends of the side trims using a miter saw.

Fitting the roof trims

Fitting the roof trims

Fit the trims to the front and sides of the catio. Align the edges flush, drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock them into place tightly.

Vertical supports for shelves

Vertical supports for shelves

Fit the vertical supports for the shelves. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock the supports to the house.

Shelf supports

Shelf supports

Make angle cuts to the diagonal braces.

Fitting the supports for the shelves

Fitting the supports for the shelves

Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock the braces to the supports. Fit the horizontal supports, as shown in the diagram.

Shelves

Shelves

Use 3/4″ plywood for the shelves. Fit the shelves to the frames and lock them into place with 2 1/2″ screws, after drilling pilot holes.

Door for 4x8 catio

Door for 4×8 catio

Use 2×2 lumber for the door frame. Assemble the frame by drilling pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws. Reinforce the door frame with diagonals. Make 45 degree cuts at both ends of the diagonals and secure them to the door with 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure the corners of the door are right angled. Cover the door with wire mesh.

Fitting the door to the 4x8 catio

Fitting the door to the 4×8 catio

Fit the door to the opening and lock it to the frame with hinges. Install a latch so you keep the catio closed.

4x8-catio-plans---how-to-build

4×8-catio-plans—how-to-build

Last but not least, take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, smooth the edges and make sure there are no wire exposed to injure your pets. Apply a few coats of paint / stain to enhance the look of the catio and to protect the components from the elements.

How-to-build-a-4x8-catio

How-to-build-a-4×8-catio

Make sure you take a look over the rest of my cat project plans HERE. I have tons of designs covering everything you need to keep you cat healthy and happy: insulated cat houses, window catio, large catio and cat trees. If you like my approach to designing woodworking plans, make sure you check out the list of all my free designs HERE.

 

 

This woodworking project was about 4×8 catio plans free. If you want to see more outdoor plans, check out the rest of our step by step projects and follow the instructions to obtain a professional result.

 

 

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15 comments

Stephanie knubis -

I am trying to figure out how much this would cost. I’m a bit confused. The stuff listed below the line after the list of length and stuff of wood, is this what you need total? Like do I buy 30 of the 8 foot 2×2 or do i need to buy more than that? I just wanna make sure lol

Reply
Ovidiu -

Yes, the list below the line is the shopping list. The A to J list is the cut list (how you cut the lumber)

Reply
Tom Elms -

Looks great! How much wire mess do you need (I guess in square feet) and what size polycarbonate?

Reply
Ovidiu -

Updated the list. For polycarbonate choose anything thicker than 6 mm (1/4″)

Reply
Annette -

The cut list seems off to me, the back wall measurements in the diagram are not matching to the cuts shown in the list. The front wall in the diagram matches a side wall in the cut list…

Reply
Ovidiu -

I’ve updated the list.

Reply
Martha Grant -

Great plan, thanks for sharing. We need to change the dimensions to fit our space. 42 inches deep x 60 inches long x 8 feet tall. Can you help us adjust the dimensions? Or recommend a calculator?

Reply
Arthur Green -

Finalizing our plans and think I’m misunderstanding something. Why is the base 93” wide and the front/back walls 96” wide?

Reply
Ovidiu -

The base is 96″, the 93″ represents the size of the joist. 93″+1 1/2″+1 1/2″ = 96″

Reply
Ed Palmer -

Great plans. I framed this up over the weekend and I’m waiting on the mesh to cover it…I’ll be using pet-resistant screen mesh instead of wire mesh.

I ran into one issue, though. In the cut list, letter A specifies two pieces of 2×4 lumber, each 91-1/2″ long. However, when you get down to the assembly instructions, the diagram shows 93″. The latter is correct, so if you cut per the cut list (as I did) the long sides of the base are too short. I just added another 48″ 2×4 to one of the sides so it would all line up.

Reply
Mark McNamara -

Thanks for these great plans. Can you clarify what you mean by ‘plates’. The directions say to drill pilot holes through the ‘plates’ but don’t understand and don’t see any plates on the materials list. Thanks in advance.

Reply
Ovidiu -

Top plates are the 2×2 horizontal. The components that the studs attach to.

Reply
PAIZLY -

Hi, Id love to have my cousin build this but i cannot print for him, help.

Reply
Ovidiu -

See the site FAQs

Reply
Linda Domogalski -

I haven’t gathered all the materials for the 4X8 Catio yet but I’m working on them. I just wanted to thank whoever took the time to put this step by step tutorial together for those of us who have never built anything from the ground up. It seems so plainly laid out that it gave me the courage to go ahead and try it. The worst that can happen is it will look like a Charlie Brown project. Lol! Can’t wait to start on it. So Thank You so much for taking your precious time to help someone like me gain 1 more step of confidence.

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