Cat net on the balcony with drilling

Attaching a Cat Net to a Balcony by Drilling - Here's How

Cats are naturally curious. Everything that moves sparks their interest – birds on the railing, butterflies among the flowers, the hustle and bustle in the street. For many cats, the balcony is the most exciting part of the home. Secure your balcony with a BOY cat net to ensure nothing happens to your little feline friend. This way, they can move freely without you having to worry.

If you are allowed to drill in your apartment, this opens up the most stable and permanent attachment options. On this page, we show you step-by-step how to securely attach a BOY cat net to an apartment balcony, a freestanding balcony, and a loggia – using hooks, strips, telescopic poles, or stainless steel cable, depending on the situation.

Are you not allowed to or do not want to drill? Then check out our guides for balcony cat nets without drilling.

 

Option 1: Cat Net on a Freestanding Balcony

Freestanding balconies offer cats the best view – from all sides. If your balcony railing is made of brick, we recommend our extendable telescopic poles in combination with wall mounts. These are screwed directly into the masonry and provide the poles with a firm, permanent hold.

 

 

Step-by-Step: Freestanding Balcony with Wall Mounts

1. Install Wall Mounts: Secure the wall mounts to the wall with four screws each. The poles should be approximately 2 meters apart. Depending on the balcony structure, you can attach the mounts on the outside or inside – this is particularly practical if you use hanging flower boxes. The poles do not need to be attached all the way to the floor.
2. Insert and Adjust Telescopic Poles: Insert the telescopic poles into the wall mounts and adjust the height continuously. Lock the desired height with the set screw.
3. Check for Climb-Over Protection: If your cat likes to climb, we strongly recommend our climb-over protection to prevent them from escaping over the net. In this case, allow for a good 60-70 centimeters more net height.
4. Attach the Net: Attach the BOY cat net either with net ties to the telescopic poles, or patiently thread the poles through the meshes. To do this, remove the set screw so that the meshes do not get caught there.
5. Tension the Braided Cord or Frame System: Weave the braided cord through the top row of meshes. This prevents the net from sagging between the poles. Alternatively, our frame system is suitable for a particularly neat finish. Make sure not to pull the braided cord through the pole's drilling hole, as it will quickly chafe through.
6. Secure the Bottom Edge: Let the net hang down to the floor to close all gaps. Take a strip of metal, plastic, or wood and weave it through the row of meshes lying on the floor. Then attach the strip to the railing bases with net ties. Alternatively, you can thread a lead rope through the last row of meshes and also place some flower boxes on the net. Ideally, the cat net should lie on the floor inwards by at least 30 centimeters.

 

Option 2: Cat Net on an Apartment Balcony

Especially if your apartment balcony faces the street, it invites observation. To ensure your cat can safely enjoy this vantage point, there are three attachment options available for apartment balconies.

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

 

 

Method A: Mounting with a Strip

Thread a strip of wood or aluminum through the top row of meshes of the BOY cat net and attach it to the underside of the overlying balcony with suitable screws. Additionally, use telescopic poles with corner wall mounts to guide the net over the corners. Do not stretch the net too tightly – it expands and contracts due to weather conditions.

 

Method B: Mounting with Hooks

Screw plastic-coated hooks approximately 30 centimeters apart to the underside of the overlying balcony. Weave a 3 mm thick braided cord through the first row of meshes of the net and hang both parts into the hooks. Pull the cord taut and tie it. Alternatively to the braided cord, you can also use a finished edge binding on the upper long side of the net.

 

Method C: Mounting with Telescopic Poles and Wall Mounts

If your balustrade is made of brick, use our extendable telescopic poles. Attach them with the corresponding wall mounts and corner wall mounts at a distance of approximately 2 meters. Depending on whether you have flower boxes on the balcony, attach the poles on the outside or inside. Then attach the cat net to the poles with net ties. With a braided cord through the top row of meshes, you prevent the net from sagging. The finish will be even neater with our frame system.

 

Option 3: Cat Net on a Loggia

Not only humans appreciate the loggia – your cat does too. Since it is sheltered, the space can be used until the evening. Here too, a BOY cat net provides the necessary safety. For a loggia, you have two proven methods.

 

 

Method A: Mounting with Hooks

Attach plastic-coated hooks approximately 30 centimeters apart, either inside or outside the masonry. If you attach the BOY cat net from the outside, your cat can comfortably sit on the wall balustrade – and you still have space for your flowers. Then thread the braided cord on all four sides through the end mesh of the net, hang it together with the net into the hooks, tighten the cord, and tie it.

Method B: Mounting with a Stainless Steel Cable

Stretch the stainless steel cable like a frame into or in front of the loggia opening. To do this, screw strong eye screws into the masonry at each corner, thread the stainless steel cable through all eyelets, and tension it with the cable tensioner. Finally, attach the BOY cat net to the cable with 100 mm long net ties. Cut off the protruding ends of the net ties – the result looks clean and professional.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Mounting with Drilling

Are cat nets allowed on the balcony?

That depends on your property management and your rental agreement. Find out beforehand if and how you are allowed to attach your cat net. As a rule, cat nets without drilling are not a problem. For solutions with drilling, consultation is recommended – however, drill holes can be easily filled in after moving out.

 

Which mounting method is the most stable?

The most stable and durable solution is direct screwing into the masonry – i.e., wall mounts for telescopic poles or eye screws for the stainless steel cable. These methods are particularly suitable for balconies that are used year-round and for cats that are very active and enjoy climbing.

 

How do I prevent the net from sagging between the poles?

The easiest way is with a braided cord threaded through the top row of meshes. It keeps the net taut and ensures an even top finish. For even more stability, we recommend our frame system.

 

Are BOY cat nets available in different colors?

Yes – our cat nets are available in various colors, including black, white, and olive green. Dark nets are barely noticeable from a distance – the human eye perceives dark colors much less at a distance than light ones.

Further answers to possible questions can be found in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section about our protective nets.