What should I do about my windowsills?
by
Louise
+10
UPDATE: Here's a new photo of a finished window sill. I love the sills and so do my cats. I stained them white. Two coats so far. I might just leave it this way or might do more coats. Decided against paint since cats' claws scratch up paint and with the stain, scratches won't show as much.
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When I had new windows installed a few months ago, it left me with window sills 2.25" wide. I have cats who like to sit in the window and now they have to stand on whatever I can provide so they can see out. They actually only have two windows they can see out of now. :-( A contractor suggested I get 6" (5.5") wood the length of the windows (4 ft ), cut it to match the shape of the curved insides you see and then screw it on top of the existing sills, giving the cats a nice perch again. The original sill is made of an acrylic (I think that's what it is) and is 1/2" thick. The screws will go into the wood near the window so they go into the wood that surrounds the window. A neighbor suggested that liquid nails be used instead, but I read that it takes a while to dry and since I have to keep the cats away until the project is finished once it's started, I think screws would be easier and faster. I'd want to use ones with a flat head. I'll have to hire someone to do this since I don't have the proper cutting tools. Does this seem workable? I'll either paint the white or stain them white -- leaning toward stain since it seems that cat claw won't show as much damage on stain as on paint. I'd also like to have the two outside corners sanded a bit so I won't accidentally run into sharp edges.
You have the right idea! BUT, Here are some photos of window cat perches that people have made without all the construction, work involved, and paying someone. Just click on a photo and go to the site..... https://www.google.com/search?q=cat+window+perch+diy&biw=1016&bih=642&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjijOKPrb3SAhUTzCYKHUTHBOkQsAQIwgE
I would use screws. If you were to use liquid nail it would be a mess if you ever had to remove it form any reason.
I use cat perches in my house because of very narrow window sills, and as we know its all about the animals! Cats seem very content with it =^ .. ^=
thanks for being such a good cat mom! I moved in with my mom and we went from wide sills to narrow. I have furniture that is about the size of the sills pushed up to them, and I also have some cat trees in front of the windows. If you have the resources, you could put new wider sills over or under. I am afraid to get new windows, I haven't seen any in the hardware stores that seem to be secure, or the cats could just rip through. Are you happy with yours?
Hi Louise, I agree, the more cost effective solution is to purchase a cat perch. They can get pricey depending on how elaborate they are. I have seen some very nice ones on on Etsy. You can have one made for you that is plain & simple then you can make it as plush as you want. Way cheaper than buying one all fru-fru! This way you can have it compliment the colors of the room it's in. All fur babies deserve nothing but the best! Good luck!
at house no. 2 i went with an online catalog- found a cat perch, carpeted. fixed it under the window- the cats promptly fought over who's territory this would be.
Use shelf brackets & put shelf onto them. You can go to home depot & they will cut the board to length. You can paint & put a PC of carpert on it. That way you will not mess up your window will. They will help you to get the right brackets & screw's. Good luck.
Cats do love to look out of the windows! A 'cat shelf' will be perfect! I like the idea of just using shelf brackets topped with a board. Then round the corners off because it is safer and looks better to the eye. You've got this!
Were you able to get the screen fixed? You would think with so many households with cats, there would be a stronger screen. All the ones I've seen seem to be made on the cheap. They still have those expandable screens you insert (if you have double hung windows) and keep in place with the weight of your open window. you could double up your screens
I open my window only 2" so the cats can smell the out doors, but not get their head or body through the opening. Both the cat and screen are safe.
We had a cat tree, homemade and carpeted with rope around the 4" post, so it served as a scratching post too. We put it in the spare bedroom where there were two corner windows. We also had a stool in front of the backyard picture window. Both were well used. But the birds wouldn't come to the feeder there. I wonder why. Lol
You could fit a shelf under the window using brackets for the cat .