The Stone Lookout | Recent Catio Build in Colorado Springs, Colorado
📍Location📍
Colorado Springs, CO
Project Overview
This attached custom catio was designed to provide a secure, elevated outdoor space while remaining discreet and visually unobtrusive. Measuring 15 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and 10 feet tall, the structure connects directly to the home via a cat door through the wall, allowing safe, convenient access for daily use.
Built from cedar lumber and finished with a painted black exterior, the catio was designed to blend with the home and comply with HOA considerations without drawing attention. A clear polycarbonate roof provides weather protection while preserving light, and black PVC-coated welded wire ensures durability and predator resistance. Inside, the space includes large lounging platforms, shelves, and ramps to support climbing, resting, and enrichment. A full-size human access door allows for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Project Goals
- Create a high-end, secure outdoor enclosure connected directly to the home
- Maintain a low-profile, discreet design that does not stand out visually
- Keep the catio positioned on the elevated patio area as requested
- Use durable, weather-resistant materials suitable for long-term outdoor exposure
- Provide vertical movement and lounging space through shelves, ramps, and large platforms
- Allow for design flexibility and on-site adjustments during construction
- Ensure easy access for both cats and humans
Design Challenges
- Maintaining a discreet, high-end appearance
Designing an attached catio that blends with the home’s exterior and does not visually stand out, especially with HOA considerations in mind. - Working within an elevated patio space
Keeping the structure positioned on the elevated section of the patio while preserving usable outdoor living space.
- Balancing size with subtlety
Accommodating a 15′ wide by 10′ tall structure while maintaining a low-profile, unobtrusive design. - Integrating secure access points
Designing both a cat door through the wall and a full-size human access door without disrupting the home’s exterior.
Key Design Features
- Attached custom catio
Connected directly to the home for safe, convenient access through a wall-mounted cat door. - Painted cedar construction
Cedar lumber finished in black to match the home and create a clean, cohesive exterior appearance. - Clear polycarbonate roofing
Provides weather protection while maintaining natural light inside the enclosure.
- Black PVC-coated welded wire
Offers durability, visibility, and long-term protection without drawing visual attention. - Vertical enrichment layout
Shelves, ramps, and large lounging platforms inside the catio encourage climbing, movement, and relaxation. - Human access door
Full-size entry allows for easy cleaning, maintenance, and interaction.
Build Specifications
This custom attached catio was designed to provide a secure, high-end outdoor space while remaining visually discreet and integrated with the home. The structure connects directly to the house and was built to allow for on-site design adjustments, ensuring the final layout aligned with both functional needs and aesthetic preferences. Materials and finishes were selected to blend with the home’s exterior while maintaining durability and ease of use.
Dimensions & Layout
- Main Catio Structure: Custom-built at 15 feet wide x 4 feet deep x 10 feet tall, attached directly to the home. The size allows for vertical movement and multiple lounging zones while maintaining a low-profile appearance along the elevated patio.
- Connection Points:
- Catio remains fully connected to the house rather than freestanding
- Positioned intentionally on the elevated section of the patio as requested
Catio Gallery
Materials Used
Each material was selected for durability, safety, and a clean, understated appearance that allows the catio to blend seamlessly with the home.
Lumber: Cedar
Why Cedar?
- Naturally rot-resistant and well-suited for long-term outdoor use
- Chemical-free and safe for cats
- Strong yet lightweight, allowing for a tall structure without visual bulk
- Provides a high-end look that supports a discreet, custom-built design
Roofing Options
Roofing: Clear Polycarbonate Panels
- Clear polycarbonate roofing selected for weather protection while maintaining light
- Allows natural sunlight into the catio, keeping the space bright and open
- Provides coverage from rain and falling debris without visually enclosing the structure
- Lightweight and durable, supporting a tall build without adding visual bulk
- Helps maintain a discreet, high-end appearance that blends with the home
Fencing: 1×1 Black Critterfencing
Fencing: Black PVC-Coated Welded Wire
- Material: Welded steel wire with a protective black PVC coating
- Finish: Black, selected to reduce visual impact and blend with the home
Why This Fencing?
- Provides a secure enclosure to keep cats safely contained
- PVC coating improves corrosion resistance and long-term durability
- Welded construction adds strength without bulky framing
- Open wire design allows for airflow and clear visibility
- Black finish visually recedes, supporting the goal of a discreet, high-end appearance
Interior Features & Enrichment
The interior of this custom catio was designed to encourage natural movement, exploration, and rest while making full use of the vertical space. The layout focuses on climbing, lounging, and easy navigation, giving cats multiple ways to engage with the space at their own pace.
Feature List
- Climbing Shelves
Strategically placed shelves along the interior walls allow cats to climb, jump, and perch at varying heights. The staggered layout supports natural climbing behavior and full-body movement while maximizing usable space within the enclosure.
- Ramps
Strategically placed shelves along the interior walls allow cats to climb, jump, and perch at varying heights. The staggered layout supports natural climbing behavior and full-body movement while maximizing usable space within the enclosure.
- Lounging Platforms
Large interior platforms create comfortable resting areas where cats can stretch out, relax, and observe their surroundings. Multiple platform locations give cats options for both elevated views and quieter resting spots.
- Vertical Flow Layout
Shelves, ramps, and platforms are arranged to create continuous movement paths, allowing cats to explore the enclosure without dead ends. This layout encourages activity while maintaining a calm, balanced interior environment.
Feature Purpose & Pet Personality Fit
This build was customized for a three-cat household with a strong preference for window-side lounging and daily bird/wildlife watching. The goal was to create a safe outdoor extension of their favorite indoor hangout—while tailoring the layout for cats who love vertical space, but need plenty of comfortable, shared lounging areas to rest together.
- Large lounging shelves were prioritized so multiple cats can relax on the same platform at once, supporting side-by-side napping and shared “watch duty” by the window.
- Tiered vertical levels give the cats options to climb, perch, and choose their preferred height for observing the yard without competing for a single spot.
- Ramps were added to create smooth movement between levels, making the space easy to navigate during bursts of play or when transitioning from climbing to rest.
- The overall interior layout balances activity + downtime, offering vertical exploration without sacrificing the roomy resting platforms the cats use most.