How to Install a Cat Net on Your Balcony with Drilling

Cats are naturally curious. Anything that moves catches their attention - birds on the railing, butterflies among the flowers, the hustle and bustle of the street below. For many cats, the balcony is the most exciting part of the home. Secure your balcony with a BOY cat net to keep your little explorer safe - so they can move around freely while you relax without worry.

If you are allowed to drill in your home, this opens up the most stable and long-lasting mounting options available. On this page we show you step by step how to safely install a BOY cat net on a floor balcony, a freestanding balcony and a loggia - using hooks, strips, telescopic rods or stainless steel wire, depending on your situation.

Not allowed to drill, or prefer not to? Then take a look at our installation guide for balcony cat nets without drilling.

Option 1: Cat Net on a Freestanding Balcony

Freestanding balconies give cats the best view - from every angle. If your balcony parapet is made of masonry, we recommend our pull-out telescopic rods in combination with wall brackets. These are screwed directly into the masonry and give the rods a firm, permanent hold.

Step by Step: Freestanding Balcony with Wall Brackets

1. Fix the wall brackets: Secure each wall bracket to the masonry with four screws. The rods should be spaced approximately 2 metres apart. Depending on your balcony layout, you can mount the brackets on the inside or outside of the parapet - particularly useful if you have hanging flower boxes. The rods do not need to extend all the way to the floor.
2. Insert and adjust the telescopic rods: Insert the telescopic rods into the wall brackets and adjust the height steplessly. Lock your preferred height in place using the locking screw.
3. Check whether a cat-proof top edge is needed: If your cat loves to climb, we strongly recommend our climbing guard to prevent her from getting over the top of the net. In that case, plan for an extra 60-70 centimetres of net height.
4. Attach the net: Secure the BOY cat net to the telescopic rods either with cable ties, or thread the rods carefully through the mesh. If you thread the rods through, remove the locking screw first so the mesh does not catch on it.
5. Thread the braided line or fit the frame system: Weave the braided line through the top row of mesh. This prevents the net from sagging between the rods and gives a clean, straight top edge. Our frame system is a great alternative for an especially neat finish. Do not thread the braided line through the hole in the rod itself - it will wear through quickly.
6. Secure the bottom edge: Let the net hang down to the floor to close all gaps. Thread a strip of metal, plastic or wood through the bottom row of mesh that rests on the floor. Fasten the strip to the base of the railing posts with cable ties. Alternatively, you can thread a lead line through the bottom row of mesh and place a few flower boxes on top of the net. Ideally the cat net should lie at least 30 centimetres inward along the floor.

Option 2: Cat Net on a Floor Balcony

Especially when your floor balcony faces the street, it becomes a perfect observation post for your cat. To let her enjoy that view safely, there are three different mounting options available for a floor balcony.

Tip: A dark cat net is barely noticeable to your neighbours - dark nets (black or olive green) are practically invisible at a distance.

Method A: Mounting with a Strip

Thread a strip of wood or aluminium through the top row of mesh of the BOY cat net and screw it to the underside of the balcony above using suitable screws. Use telescopic rods with corner wall brackets in addition to guide the net around the corners. Do not pull the net too tight - it expands and contracts with changing weather conditions.

Method B: Mounting with Hooks

Screw plastic-coated hooks to the underside of the balcony above, spaced roughly 30 centimetres apart. Weave a 3 mm braided line through the top row of mesh and hang both the line and the net onto the hooks. Pull the line taut and tie it off securely. As an alternative to the braided line, you can also use a ready-made edging cord along the top long side of the net.

Method C: Mounting with Telescopic Rods and Wall Brackets

If your parapet is made of masonry, use our pull-out telescopic rods. Fix them with the matching wall brackets and corner wall brackets, spaced approximately 2 metres apart. Depending on whether you have flower boxes on your balcony, mount the rods on the inside or outside. Attach the cat net to the rods using cable ties. Thread a braided line through the top row of mesh to prevent sagging. For the neatest result, use our frame system.

Option 3: Cat Net on a Loggia

Loggias are popular with cats for the same reasons humans love them - they are sheltered and comfortable well into the evening. A BOY cat net keeps your cat safe here too. For a loggia, there are two reliable methods.

Method A: Mounting with Hooks

Fix plastic-coated hooks approximately 30 centimetres apart on either the inside or outside of the masonry. If you mount the BOY cat net on the outside, your cat can sit comfortably on the parapet ledge - and you still have room for your plants. Thread the braided line through the end mesh on all four sides of the net, hang the line and the net together onto the hooks, pull the line taut and tie it off.

Method B: Mounting with Stainless Steel Wire

Stretch the stainless steel wire like a frame in front of or within the loggia opening. To do this, screw heavy-duty eye bolts into the masonry at each corner, thread the stainless steel wire through all the eye bolts and tension it with the wire tensioner. Finally, attach the BOY cat net to the wire using 100 mm cable ties. Trim off the protruding ends of the cable ties - the result looks clean and professional.

FAQ about Drilling Installation

Are cat nets on balconies permitted?

That depends on your building management and your tenancy agreement. Check in advance whether and how you are allowed to attach a cat net. As a rule, cat nets that do not require drilling are rarely an issue. For solutions that do involve drilling, it is worth asking your landlord first - although drill holes can easily be filled and painted over when you move out.

Which mounting method is the most stable?

The most stable and long-lasting solution is direct fixing into the masonry - that means wall brackets for telescopic rods or eye bolts for the stainless steel wire. These methods are particularly well suited to balconies used all year round and to cats that are very active or like to climb.

How do I stop the net from sagging between the rods?

The easiest way is a braided line threaded through the top row of mesh. It keeps the net taut and creates a neat, even top edge. For extra stability, our frame system is the best option.

Do BOY cat nets come in different colours?

Yes - our BOY cat nets are available in a range of colours, including black, white and olive green. Dark nets are barely visible from a distance - the human eye perceives dark colours far less prominently than light ones when viewed from afar.

For more answers to common questions, please visit the FAQ section.