I wanted a cat door for my cats to get in to the house whenever they like. I didn't want to have an easy access for anyone else. The solution was to put a cat door upstairs so they can climb up to the roof and into the upper window cat door.

They could climb a tree, and have been doing so for a while, but it's quite precarious and I have seen the apprehension as they jumped the gap and scaled the limbs. I love my little kitties and I wanted to be sure they had a stress free way in and out.

Thinking cap on. Tinkering tools activated. I would build a rampy laddery thingy for them to climb up. A straight plank wouldn't work with the proximity of the tree, but one with a hinge in the middle would!

Supplies Used:
2 redwood fence planks 1"x6"x6'
molding brads (nails)
3 hinges
Screws

Tools Used:
Chop saw
Combination square ruler
Pneumatic brad nailer
Router
Screw Driver

Step 1: Cut Wood

I brought my wood to the Tech Shop in San Carlos to do my cutting and layout.
They have all the tools I needed to complete this project. Check them out!
http://www.techshop.ws

I got fence boards that had the corners cut off of one end... I didn't think that was helpful. I cut those ends off.
I also knew I was going to make a series of ladder rungs. I wanted them as wide as the ramp, but wanted them to have the linear strength from a rip cut as opposed to a cross cut. Measure the width, then cut the board that deep. I then cut those into 4 rungs by cutting in half, then in half again - it's not very scientific, but this way is quick and easy and produces good results.

Step 2: Attach Rungs

I made 6 sets of 4 rungs.
I spaced them out every 4" and had plenty.
I used a Brad Nailer to shoot 18 gauge x 1 1/4' brads into the rungs to hold them in place.
I made sure they were square on the plank with combination square ruler. You may choose to use wood glue at this point as well to be sure the rungs hold.

Step 3: Finishing Touchs

There were a few nails that went through - I cut off the sharp ends with some good cutters.
I chose to rout the rungs so the little cat paws wouldn't have to climb sharp edged rungs.
The two sections were hinged together with a brass hinge.

Step 4: Hang the Ramp

Another set of hinges was used to mount each end to the fence and roof.
Be sure to get help from a friend who isn't afraid of heights.

Step 5: Share It With Your Cats!

Cats are typically skeptical of new things right away. Ours were no exception. They were curious, and with some tasty treats they were lured to try it out. Once one cat trusts it, the others are sure to follow. Our cats use it all the time now!

To see more ladders for cats, check out Jimmy's Cat Ladders Blog. http://catladder.blogspot.com/ - thanks for sharing katerlyn