Build Your Own Cat Tree – How to Pick the Right Carpet For Your Cat Tree

If you have an inkling to build your own cat tree but have never done it before, then you may have a lot of questions. Many of those questions probably center around what type of materials you should use.

This article will give you tips for selecting and buying the right type of carpet to use for covering the base, posts, and shelves of your cat tree.

Where To Get Carpet

One of the best ways to obtain carpet is buying it straight off the roll. All carpet outlets and most building supply stores will allow you to purchase carpet this way. However, you may be limited to purchasing it only in certain foot increments (often 12′).

If purchasing off the roll will leave you with too much excess, you can try to purchase scraps. Most carpet outlets have carpet remnants they sell for a discount price.

These are often brand new and are simply scrap pieces left over from new installations at houses, apartments, office buildings, etc. Spending a little extra time shopping around can help you land some amazing carpet deals.

What Type Of Carpet Is Best?

When you build your own cat tree and are ready to cover it with carpet, you’ll have a couple considerations to address. First, what color do you want it? This is really a personal choice so I’ll leave that between you and your cat.

Second, you’ll need to decide what pile, texture, and weight you want to use. If you’re unfamiliar with carpet terms, pile simply refers to the length of the carpet fibers and the weight refers to carpet thickness. In terms of texture, it’s best to go with non-loop carpet. This will prevent your kitty from getting hurt by ensuring her claws don’t get snagged.

If you want to make a cat tree with the most eye appeal and the least frustration during the construction process, then stick to medium pile (3/8″ to 1/2″ long fibers) and medium weight carpet.

If the carpet fibers are too long or the carpet is too thick, it will be difficult to bend and staple around the edges and corners of shelves. If it’s too short or thin, then the backing shows through when it is folded over edges and around corners.

How Much Carpet Is Needed?

Obviously, when you build your own cat tree, the amount of carpet needed will depend on how extravagant your design will be. In most cases, you can create a nice, average-sized cat tree with around 50 square feet.