This article provides 30 enclosed porch ideas that can enhance the style, comfort, and usability of a three- or four-season room, screened-in porch, or sunroom. The glass balcony enclosure is a permanent solution for those who need light to enter their outdoor space. It is also possible to build an outdoor shower enclosure using premade partitions that can be attached to an existing fence or posts or mounted to concrete or wooden patios.
The article also discusses the importance of design, manufacturability, use, and functionality when decorating an enclosed patio. Key functions such as air, ventilation, and lighting are essential in creating a complete and continuous enclosure that separates interior space from the exterior.
To create a speaker enclosure, one can use a screen or create round or slotted holes in a solid plate. To attach the interior gypsum wall board, drywall clips or scrap lumber are needed. The functions required of all building enclosures, commercial and residential, are presented followed by concise descriptions of control functions.
In summary, these enclosed porch ideas offer various ways to add style, comfort, and usability to any outdoor living space. By considering factors such as design, manufacturability, use, and functionality, homeowners can create a comfortable and functional outdoor space.
📹 How to build a Catio (outside cat enclosure) DIY
Step by step DIY video on how to build a catio for your cats using PVC pipe, vinyl coated metal fencing and a vinyl roof. It has 2 …
What is the law of enclosure in design?
The Gestalt principle of enclosure pertains to the manner in which we perceive objects within common area implantations as groups. The formation of enclosures can be achieved through the utilisation of transparent area implantations with discernible boundaries or through the application of colouring to areas with disparate hues. Information within a specific region is perceived as directly related, while different regions are perceived as contrasting categories.
How do you format an enclosure?
The abbreviation “Enclosure” is entered in a double-spaced line below the initials of the writer or typist. In the event that multiple items are enclosed, the word is made plural and followed by the number of items.
What are the 7 basics of interior design?
Interior design principles are guidelines used by designers to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. These principles include balance, harmony, rhythm, proportion and scale, emphasis, contrast, and details. Balance is crucial in creating an equilibrium by evenly distributing furniture and decorative objects within a room. It involves careful analysis of line, shape, color, and texture of objects. There are three types of balance: formal, informal, and radial. These principles can be applied to any room in a home, from the living room to the bathroom.
What must be included when designing an enclosure?
Designing electronic enclosures involves a thorough approach that takes into account environmental protection, material selection, EMI/RFI shielding, heat management, size, accessibility, cable management, safety features, durability, regulatory compliance, environmental impact, ergonomics, cost considerations, testing, documentation, and labeling to ensure the enclosure effectively protects and supports electronic components while meeting user and regulatory expectations.
What is the best material for an enclosure?
Enclosure material selection is crucial for ensuring safety, performance, and longevity in electrical enclosures. Metals like stainless steel or aluminum are ideal for harsh industrial environments due to their durability and strength, while plastics are cost-effective and versatile for indoor or less demanding applications. The choice of material directly impacts the enclosure’s performance in its intended environment, affecting its resistance to environmental factors like temperature, moisture, and physical impact. Each material has its own set of strengths and ideal scenarios, making it like selecting the perfect armor for a knight.
What are the 7 formulas of interior design?
The seven principles of interior design, including balance, unity, rhythm, emphasis, contrast, scale and proportion, and details, are essential for creating harmonious interiors that convey character. Balance in life is the key to a more rewarding existence, and interior design concepts can achieve this through stability. Three types of balance can be applied depending on personal preferences: symmetrical balance, which is a mirroring effect that evenly divides a space into two, and details, which are the details that add depth and character to the space. By implementing these principles, you can create an ideal home that reflects your personality and contributes to a more fulfilling life.
How much does it cost to build an enclosure?
The size of an enclosure is a significant factor in its cost, with panel designs allowing for large enclosures up to 20′ wide x 40′ long x 15′ tall. Custom enclosure specialists can help optimize the size and potentially reduce costs. The cost ranges from $2, 000 for a small enclosure to $25, 000 for a very large one.
Enclosures can be customized in various colors, with the Hartford Green color being the most popular choice. Color typically adds 15-20% to the cost, but it is not painted and does not risk chipping over the lifespan. Pac-Clad®, the largest manufacturer of metal roofs in the US, uses the same process on our enclosures as on their roofs.
Additionally, windows are often added to industrial enclosures for quick visual inspections or natural lighting, ranging from $350 to $750 depending on the size. These features help to ensure the enclosure meets the specific needs of the installation.
What are the principles of enclosure in interior design?
Neil Hucheon’s 1963 principles of building enclosure include strength, rigidity, control of heat, air, water, vapor, liquid water movement, stability, durability, fire, aesthetics, and cost. Environmental factors like gravity, climate, weather, seismic forces, noise, vibration, soil type, topography, organic agents, and inorganic agents can impact enclosure functions. These factors include structural loads, climate, weather, seismic forces, noise, vibration, soil type, topography, organic agents, and inorganic agents. Enclosures must be designed to withstand various environmental conditions.
Is it cheaper to build in container?
A container home is a cost-effective and stylish alternative to traditional houses, offering a comfortable, stylish, and sustainable living space. The cost of building a container home can range from $10, 000 to $40, 000. This is significantly less than the cost of a traditional house, and the project typically takes only a few weeks or months. With careful planning and creativity, a container home can be created to meet all your needs, making it a unique and beautiful home.
However, traditional houses can be expensive due to the high costs of materials and labor, as well as the time and regulations required to build them. Despite these challenges, building a container home can be a great investment for those looking to save money while achieving their dream tiny home.
How to build an electrical enclosure?
To build an electrical enclosure, follow these steps: 1) Determine the type of enclosure you need, 2) Determine the dimensions and size of the enclosure, 3) Design the enclosure using appropriate software, 4) Choose suitable material for the enclosure, and 5) Fabricate or machine the material based on the dimensions. This process should be easy if you understand the finer details, such as the type of enclosure, materials, and packaging.
What is a Type 4 electrical enclosure?
Type 4 weather-tight enclosures are designed for indoor or outdoor use, providing protection against various environmental factors. They are made from powder coated carbon steel and come in various types, including wall-mounted, free-standing, and JIC. Type 4X, on the other hand, is made from corrosion-resistant materials, providing protection against exposure to corrosive agents like salt spray. Nema Enclosures produces these enclosures in 5052-H32 aluminum, 304/304L stainless steel, or 316/316L stainless steel, and offers various styles for demanding applications.
Stainless steel is the strongest corrosion-resistant material, exhibiting similar resistances to fiberglass materials and highly polar solvents like acetone and MEK. Nema Enclosures adheres to NEMA standards to provide quality electrical enclosures at competitive prices.
📹 How To Build A Reptile Enclosure PVC or Wood DIY Cage #reptiles #enclosure
Bonus ideas on how to make a reptile enclosure DIY step by step. This is the frame work for the enclosure/cage. includes internal …
I’m homeless right now but I’m in a program that will help me back on my feet, and imagining making this is a great motivator for me! This is both something I can do, and pretty cheap all things considered! Hoping to one day come back to this article when I have a home and kitties of my own. Thank you, sir!
We used the largest size dog crate outside our cat window, but had to add smaller mesh because the Carolina wrens, on the lookout for protected nesting locations, kept coming in through the grid and then being “escorted” into the house by the cats. None were killed, but getting them out again was no picnic. Your cats are lucky to have such excellent DIY “staff.”
I made a cario for my daughters apartment balcony using cedar wood 2 years ago. It was a covered balcony so I didn’t need the roof panels to keep off rain. Indoor cats need some outdoor space to get fresh air and sunshine. It also keeps them entertained. Indoor cats get bored. Thanks for the tip on using plumbing PVC pipe. I will certainly make a catio like yours next time I have a cat. It really looks good on your deck and doesn’t require much maintenance.
This is awesome!! Thank you for the article and all of the explanations. We are screening in a friend’s apartment patio this weekend for her cats to be able to go outside. We are also using PVC for the framing. It is lighter weight than wood and “should be” easier to put together. 🙂 I like the climbing ideas too as that will be our next step of the Catio in a month or so.
I loved! I have a lot of PVC pipes and that’s how I made an outdoor cage for my cats. I needed to put the grass and those elevations, they were a very good idea! The only thing I would change would be to use galvanized wire instead of plastic straps, since the straps burst in the sun and goodbye kittens.
Thank you for this and for your happy attitude. It made me feel encouraged that I perhaps could build something for our cats so they can also enjoy the outdoors safely. What a treasure you are! Thank you!! PS…I was thinking the opposite of one commenter on the number of zip ties. Lol! I was thinking…I’ll have to place those every 3″ for Loki, our escape artist kitty haha.
Hi RoBeaird, After perusal your article from New Zealand, have been inspired to build a Casio for our newly acquired cats (x 2) which we want to keep mostly indoors for security reasons, and your cato built from PVC tubing etc makes it simple and easier than timber, more portable when the need may be to move by not gluing the joints. I am looking at about 3.0 meters long x 1.8 wide, 2.2 Mtrs high to 2.0 on the low side, sloping roof, and access like you via a cat door though a side window, should workout well and give us plenty of interior play design space, great idea Thanks
I love this idea. What considerations would I need to make if I needed to double or triple the size of the enclosure? My two cats are used to free-roaming in Brooklyn back yards (one is feral, so she really needs the freedom), but we are planning to move to a rural area soon. I’m too worried about wild animals to let them roam, but I don’t want them to feel shorted on space. This would serve as a temporary enclosure while I build a 30×30 garden that I’ll enclose, so the pvc is perfect, but I’m just not sure what I’ll need to take into account structural to make it larger. Thanks for the article!
Wow this is amazing thanks for sharing. I think I’m going to buy a pre built kit to start, but if I had a little more practice under my belt I’d totally take this project on. I’m super curious to see how well the pvc and zipties last as that is my only caution, but they seem well enough protected by the shade in this case! Super congratulations to you two and your kitties, those fluff monsters look so happy with their new space.
This is brilliant. We want a catio for our tiny adopted stray and our massive Maine Coon. We have received quotes of more than £3000 which we are unable to afford. I will show this article to my husband. He will be delighted. Quick question: any ideas how we can secure it or weight it down as our catio must sit on a stone patio. Thanks so much from Bedfordshire, England
What a great project. I bet your kitties love you for it. Can you tell me what the tool/blade was that you used to cut the corrugated roofing material. I have not had any luck trying to cut that stuff. It just cracks and splinters. Maybe mine was made of a thicker plastic? Thanks so much for the article.
A way to keep the front door closed automatically: A spring and a flip latch, like on an outdoor fence gate. We built a patio, with a fence around it to keep our dogs away from the Smoker and from chewing the propane hose and possibly getting hurt. We put a gate spring and flip latch on it, and never have to worry about it being open accidentally ever again! 🙂
Very impressive! Well done….. except expensive. I built an 82″ long catio with 2×2 lumber for $80 which included the cost of screws, brackets, and paint. Can you please provide a link or brand name for the cat door — I definitely need that 🙂 Right now, I’m using an adjustable window screen as a door since the weather is nice, but need a proper door for wintertime.
love it but I can see 1 possible problem …. Those white Zip ties used are not UV rated over here in Australia so cant be used outdoors because the degrade & breakdown …. keep checking them & if they start to breakdown, change them to black Zip ties which are UV rated …. Id hate to see the cats escape after all that effort
Nice work~ It’s apparent that you really love your cats. Warning: your window-installed cat door is a weak point against break-in and that fence door isn’t very secured. Your cats can wiggle themselves out at the bottom corner… also those screws wouldn’t stay put for very long. Considering the amount of labor, pvc used, and total project cost, I’d have build a wooden enclosure that expands all the way to the deck railing with a height clearance that extends above the windows. The structure would be heavy enough to free-stand and wouldn’t require drilling into the house or deck. A proper locking door would be installed to secure the pets and deter any intruder. FYI, I let my cats go in and out during the day and lock them in after dinner. They often stay in the backyard or hiding inside a bush or atop a tree within the premise, but normally, I find them sleeping on my bed instead of theirs. Like people, the more you say “no” the harder they want to try. Cheers~
The guy who makes these articles is amazing. I hope if I die, I come back reincarnated as one of his pets! It’s clear he loves his animals by embarking on such a project. He’s even responding to all the comments people post. What a boss Edit: AND he composed the music?? Top tier. I would love to pay this guy to guide me over article chat if I have questions, if such a thing is available!
I have built, years ago, a 300 sq ft outdoor cat structure on property I owned, but now I live in an apartment, so I may just try out your idea for a catio for my four cats. I also like the cat window idea, especially because it means less potential damage to my rental unit. Thank you….and I just subscribed and look forward to more articles.
Our climate is different. We have used zip ties for outdoor projects and they get brittle and break over time. I suggest you periodically check yours and replace any after a year or so. Maybe you will be lucky and they last a lot longer for you. I know how resourceful cats are at being escape artists. I love how your catio turned out. Great design and your cats look happy.❤️
Not Pretty, not very sturdy but definitely a Kind Hearted endeavor on your part. I know people who keep expensive pure-bred cats indoors their entire lives which, imho, is bordering on cruel. For those who don’t want to build an extension on the house, this is Pretty practical and a Win Win overall. A fancier version from wood may be higher maintenance (questionable), but would possibly increase the property value if built right.
Excellent project! You have given me an idea how to do a catio without wood frame.The hard part is the tubes to be cut into shorter pieces for the connectors to work,And the catio, needs more support to stand gutsy wind as I wish to build a stand alone catio on the grass, not adjacent to the window. 😉
Couple of things… 1 PVC becomes very brittle over time due to exposure to the sun, hot weather and even fluctuating temperature extreme. It just doesn’t last a long time. Because of this, not gluing all of the joints can become problematic for structure security and safety for the cats. I would highly recommend gluing the joints together, at least the base frame and exterior frame – walls, roof. True, PVC is inexpensive compared to other building materials and very quick and easy to construct, however regarding long-lasting, it just doesn’t last. I have been in the construction industry for over 25+ years, and I have myself built things using PVC because of the same simple easy to use reasons. Hot weather and very cold weather really shortens the life and strength of PVC. The good thing is that you can cut out and replace certain areas of the decaying PVC over time as needed. Don’t put it in direct sunlight over extended periods of time. This will shorten the lifespan of the PVC. Utilizing some type of shade will prolong the PVC. However PVC does STILL dry out and eventually weaken, crack and become very brittle. It’s not a forever material that is exposed to the weather.
O…M..G…🤩 EXCELLENT. JOB WELL DONE 👍 building a very beautiful unique Catio for furry frisky funny feisty fussy friendly four 🐾🐾 paws Feline. Thank you for sharing your precious talent & expressing your kind compassionate thoughtfulness towards cats. Wishing belated Felinetine Day dated 14th February 2024. 🌹🐾🌹🐾🌹🐾🌹
Great job! I’m wondering if I can have a “dirt area” for my cat because she loves to roll in the dirt outside. It’s a hard dirt surface separate from her litter box area. Just thinking this out. She also loves to lay in the sun and cat nap so I may leave part of the roof covered only with chicken wire.
Love this project. ❤ You and your sweetie did a fabulous job and easy to follow article. Love the cat door into the house which is good for safety reasons plus they can come and go leisurely. I myself would probably put a smaller holed fencing and possibly figure a way to put cat screening attached so the bugs wouldn’t chew them up. But, that would increase the price of the project so maybe, we shall see. I love your article so much. You make it very easy for us to understand. Andcthank you for living your kitties so much. 🐈 😻 🐈⬛️
Thanks for this, it’s really useful, informative and easy to follow. I’m about to try enclosing my entire patio (4 square metres) with PVC pipe and netting, to create a safe outdoor area for cats where humans can also sit. Wish me luck. If I ever get it done, I’ll let you know how many zip ties I use.
Thanks for sharing!! I used a metal dog kennel (maybe 8x8x4 with a vinyl tarp roof -I put a layer of chicken wire under that) from Walmart. I think it was $300? So eventually it will rust (I think it is powder coated but that will only last so long), and it does require some time and effort to cut through the metal to install the cat access door. But it is an alternative. Mine is on the ground, and I also wanted to make sure predators couldn’t get in.
This is truly amazing. My friend needs one for her apt complex. 2 of her cats ran put in the cold last night. We talked a little after when she got them and said “we need a catio”. Im planning to built one with her, but maybe have a small one at her balcony to have a view and another outside her small yard. I think the place is concrete though, any advice to hold it in place??
Que casa tan maravillosa, para que les de el aire, el sol que les encanta, muy bonita, y sin exponerse a que les pase algo o se pierdan, solo les falta algunas macetitas con pasto, les gusta el pasto para cuando se enferman de su pancita, y en si les gustan las plantas, se sienten yo creo mas en la naturaleza y fresco.
My husband and I were looking into building a Catio for our two cats but the quotes were too high. My recently retired husband is by no means a handyman having been an academic all his life but he is learning. I love your idea for making one especially because it’s not too difficult and its cost isn’t prohibitive. I even think my husband could do one like that. In the area of Australia where we live I have seen many things made from poly pipe, wire mesh and zip ties. Also irrigation pipes and shade cloth. Great DIY idea so I have saved your article and we have another job to do around the house. Thanks so much for an inspirational way to make a Catio 🙏
Very nice design, but… As someone who’s been building stuff with PVC for well over 10 years, I can tell you that using zip-ties is not a good idea. I used zip ties to hold down bird netting on my blueberry cage and, after a few years, those zip ties, being constantly hit by the sun, turned brittle and broke. Should you have a terrible storm, along with WIND! like we have here in Northeast TN earlier in 2023, those roof panels will soon be in the next county. I just had to replace my roof panels on my back deck that were screwed down because the wind ripped it to shreds, took the panels and blew them 500 feet into my neighbor’s property.
This will definitely be easier than other catios for us. Love the addition of wood to the enclosure! Our cat loves scratching wood on our walks. Hm, I wonder if outdoor spray paint works on pvc? The white will stand out too much in our yard. We have a nice overhang of at least 3’, so we won’t need a waterproof roof, but we will have to decide whether to attach the enclosure to that overhang or put fencing over the top to keep our adventurer in.
My husband is currently planning out our version of this catio and we are so excited for this project. We watched this article previously and could have sworn there was a supply list on here somewhere but I can’t for the life of me find it now. Am I overlooking it somehow? Although we definitely have to adjust our materials because of the size of our catio we do want to be sure that we are using comparable items that worked so well for yours. Thanks! 😊
great article, no bullshitting to pad runtime and no weird editing, just a clear and straightforward tutorial. this is extremely helpful! but i also appreciate perusal how careful and precise you are in this process. it came out looking extremely professional. excellent resource i will recommend to others
I was wondering if you ever have any trouble with the heat lamps or ceramic heat emitters warping the to of the enclosure over time. I was planning on doing my lights like the way you did yours in this article for my 8x4x4 tegu enclosure but, I am worried that with his very hot basking lamps it will warp the pvc. Any thoughts would be very helpful.
Hi thank you for this beautiful tutorial my daughter and I are interested in building this however we went to both Lowe’s home Depot and searched online for the PVC board and nobody’s familiar with it and we couldn’t find it anywhere it would really be helpful if you can point me in the right direction. We found goboard… is that the same thing? Does It Go by another name and is it generally very expensive?
Hey I really gain a lot of know how from your articles! But I am also curious about your motorcycles I saw in one of the articles. Did you build or customize those at all? You seem like a person that can do anything you put your mind to. And the results are always outstanding sir! Keep on doing what ya do!
Unbelievable work. You got me motivated to build my own 5x3x2 bio active enclosure. What is the app/program you use to control everything? I was gonna get the Arcadia Jungle Dawn, a T5 UVB bulb, a deep heat projector, and a mister. I’m looking at getting the Lumenize stuff but was wondering if there’s something that would cover everything as well in one app.
Brad…….Outstanding F#$@% Job. Purchased a nelson milk snake last year for our son, got the zoo med 40 gallon starter aquarium. Mad because Bob the snake didn’t make it. Lesson learned what not to purchase for snakes. Stores should sell a snake enclosure, just for snakes (Only Snakes)!!! Since HEAT RISES/HUMIDITY RISES and escapes through the top of the tank don’t freaking buy it. The tank needs to be fully enclosed on the top, left and right sides and bottom. I’m a carpenter and this article makes me want to build this enclosure without purchasing another snake and then tell the wife (Well, I built the top of the line enclosure, might as well purchase another snake for the kids). She can never say no to the kids….hehehehe. Do not purchase any reptile unless you build this DIY enclosure. You can always build in steps and add on as needed. Once again H##LL of a job. So jealous.
I’ve watched some of these articles about 4 times each just to look at little intricacies. How many pounds of cork rounds do you think you went through in total for this build and where did you source it? Seems pretty spendy from what I’ve found and then shipping to SoCal is a killer. Also, gonna totally steal the wire in the hose trick. Ingenious!!!
only complaints about this build is the lack of pvc glue on the plumbing and on the panels, pvc glue is made for plumbing and retaining water in pvc pipes, you could have skipped siliconing the inside seams if you had glued them with pvc glue, or put the silicone in anyway and been double safe. also just because the drywall screws come in a 1000 pack doesnt’ mean you need to use them all.
What type of PVC board did you use I’m planning on building my own to have them build with cost me three grand for three cages so I’m going to build in myself I love your article it’s very informational just don’t know what type of PVC board did you use there’s so many different types out and different prices just want to make sure I get the right one
Would it be possible to make a hide box exactly like the one at the end of this article (out of tote boxes with a heat pad controlled by a thermostat) but place it inside of an enclosure? I just built a pvc enclosure for my boa constrictor, and because of how tall it is, I am having trouble heating the bottom of the enclosure where he spends his time during the day. I wanted to place a heat pad on the outside of the enclosure, but the heat doesn’t go through the PVC board. I’m just not sure if making a hide box like this and placing it inside of the enclosure would be safe, with all of the wires and everything.
Hey man, love your work. Watched couple of other articles of yours and they’re all just wow. I’m trying to build one for my diamond python and I’m in Australia. Just wondering what exactly is that pvc? Is it plastic, foam, wood ? I don’t know what to look for in Australia. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Cheers