We have recently moved to a new rental property in the UK, which is a Grade II listed building, which restricts what changes can be made.
In our previous property, we had a full glass door to the backyard, and we swapped the glass for one with a cat flap hole cut in it, then replaced the glass when we moved out. We can’t do the same in this property, as it’s a wooden french door with window panels and no changes can be made.
We don’t mind leaving the door open for the cat, but autumn has suddenly arrived and it’s bloody cold!
The cat only needs a few inches at the bottom of the door to get through. The rest of the open door is just letting in a lot of cold air. Does anyone know if draught excluders are made to fit over door frames to block the rest of the door? Does that make sense? If so, what are they called? I need to source one in the UK if they exist.
Another solution might be a heavy curtain hung on the inside. Kitty would push through but draughts kept out. If you think it’s cold now - wait a few months:)
Leaving a door open is a security risk which would certainly invalidate your insurance.
We have already confirmed we are unable to make any changes to the exterior doors in the building. A heavy curtain is definitely something to consider though, thanks for that suggestion.
My husband works from home, so security is not an issue.
Is it feasible to add an interior door, about 3 feet behind the “official” door?
(For example, if you have an entry hallway that leads , say,back to your kitchen, you would be shortening the hallway by 3 feet.)
Then you could leave the antique French door in place…but don’t latch it closed, just leave it always a few inches ajar. Then you could use the new door as the actual door to your house, but it would be invisible from the street.
Grade 2 and in the backyard? You might speak to the heritage officer at the council about buying a similar door with a catflap. Keep the old door and put it back when you leave. Be sure to kiss arse appropriately.
If you’re not concerned about security (or using the door yourselves), you might be able to find something like this, and block off all but the bottom few inches of the door with plastic, then tape a flap of heavier plastic across the bottom so the cat can get in and out.
Hilarity will ensue when you forget that it’s there…
Would a removable bulkhead to fit in the opening violate the terms? You could make a simple rectangle to fit in the full door opening or a rectangle and wedge to block a partial opening. Styrofoam, heavy cardboard, Coroplast, and Thermopan are all suitable and easy to shape with common tools. Hard to beat wood if you have a circular saw.
Yesterday I did a ‘close-up’ for a break and enter were the burgler had broken the back door completely in half. As part of the close up I cut a rectangle of 3/4" OSB which fit tightly in the door jamb.
Do you want it installed 24/7? ( safety / security concerns?? )
If no needed for people, just the critter Something fairly stiff that could have the little flap door at the bottom & a wedge at the top for the triangle that will be open at the top with two small handles to move from beside the door into the opening and wedged between the open side with a stopper behind the open door.
Would be more $$ to make and more effort but would last a long time IMO
I am thinking you could make a very good one with a single 1X6 10 feet long. Add a few coins for hardware and Bob’s your uncle. Easy to paint or stain to make it look as professional as you want.
I was really looking for a simple solution that doesn’t require any handywork on my part (some people have two left feet, I have two left hands), so I think I am going to press ahead with the door curtain.
I imagine that many readers of this thread have no idea what being “listed” means for a building in the UK.
This is an extract from a summary of the rules: Note the second paragraph:)
These homes are highly desirable from the aesthetic point of view, and they are the ones that tourists go ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at when they see them. Living in them can be a challenge though, when you can’t even repaper the living room without getting (and paying for) expert advice. It is a safe assumption that just about any building work will cost two to ten times what it would on an ordinary house.
You learn to live with the eccentricities and the draughts. My advice to the OP - stock up on woolly jumpers and thick socks:)
My mother spent a long time living in a 17th century almshouse. When we took the kids to visit in the winter, we put extra clothes on them - she didn’t seem to notice.
"Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important; only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I
Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest; 5.5% of listed buildings are Grade II*
Grade II buildings are nationally important and of special interest; 92% of all listed buildings are in this class and it is the most likely grade of listing for a home owner."
Back in the day, I built a cat door for a window. It was basically three panes of glass with the middle one on a hinge. You just opened the window and closed it on the assembly. I think they actually make commercial versions.
You could try this: Leave your door open. Mount a large (enough) fan directly above the door blowing down. Turn the fan on pretty high.
If the fan is on high enough, it will induce “turbulent flow” in the doorway. Turbulent flow minimizes the amount of mixing of indoor and outdoor air. There are supermarkets in the (US) west and southwest that do this.