Thursday, September 3, 2015

new back entry!

Every summer I seem to have enough energy for one big house project. This year it was rebuilding the back entry.

Here's the before:


You'll notice many of the deck boards are rotten. Once I started demolition, I found many of the underlying support boards were also rotten. Scary! If you look carefully, you'll see the scratch marks on the left post, this is Oliver's favorite scratching post, which was relocated into the new porch.


The original back porch only had the one stairway, which meant needing to walk around the entire thing to get to the basement entrance. Since laundry's in the basement, it was quite the royal pain.


And here's the after:


There are many kitty friendly amenities with this new porch. The railings are all 2x4's, so they are much wider, making it easier for the cats to perch on. The railing spindles are all wide enough for the cats to go through (even though that violates the building code). I went with only the one railing for the stairs, making it look more open and inviting.


Oliver's favorite scratching post was relocated to a new spot at the top of the stairs and under the roof, so he can keep scratching for many more years!




There is now a small stairway leading to the basement entry! This is glorious!! There's also a built in kitty shelf making it easier for them to jump onto the shelf to access the kitty doors leading to the back enclosed porch.






The corner near the lilac tree (Oliver's cat tree) is wider for easier kitty-navigation to and from the tree. Oliver uses that tree to get to the roof so he can hang out up there.


Full disclosure:
All model cats were generously compensated for their participation in these photos!


I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I've never done anything like this before, but it all seemed to work out just fine. The next project will be inside project!

16 comments:

  1. Looks like quite an improvement that will last for years to come, and the cats seem to enjoy it as well.

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  2. Wow, congrats on completing that project! The new deck and steps look terrific and we can see that all your hard work already is appreciated!

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  3. WOW!!! You did a great job! It's a beautiful porch.
    I'm glad all the kitty models were generously paid for their time and effort.

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  4. DOOD! Color me green with envy! This is a pawtastic porch! And your models did an outstanding job too.

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  5. I'd say that was a major improvement! Great job!! Humans love it, and the kitties do too!

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  6. It sure looks really nice and is kitty approved to boot!

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  7. Meeeow Dat's a gweat job yous did. Yous be very talented. And Oliver looks just gawjus. Hope hims joins us fur da big Meowday pawrty bash celebwatin' hims birff at cat scouts Sunday. Have a pawsum day.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Lexi

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  8. this makes me ridiculously happy.. it is blog posts like this that restore my faith in humanity

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  9. guys...HIGH PAWS two de heavens two yur dad...thiz iz bee yond mega kewl !!!! a paws...a paws....a paws !!!!!!! ♥♥♥♥

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  10. It looks great and seems very cat and people friendly! I love that you kept Oliver's scratching post!

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  11. That's fantastic!! I also love the raised kitty door, great idea! Have you ever had any trouble with raccoons getting in there?

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  12. wow, nice work!Many improvements, and obviously the cats approve.

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  13. you did an amazing job! I LOVE how you kept the scratching post and incorporated it in the new design. I also adore the amazing stonework (they are so charming and attractive) and am so happy you preserved that as well. That had to be tedious work, but you did a superb job! Well done YOU!
    catchatwithcarenandcody

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  14. Great addition for you and your kitties! And I love that unique stone wall.

    Best of luck with your next project!

    Debby
    http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/

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  15. That came out great! How nice of you to compensate the kitty models :)

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