Which vestibule would you put in?

[Delara]

Hi, moving into this house soon and will need an air lock for the indoor cats. I've no idea whether I should add another front door at the front of the storm porch (not much space) or add in an internal door closer to the stairs inside. Ideally I'd like it to fit two people so you can come in at the same time but not sure if that's realistic. Has anyone done either of these and may have any advice?

Both of those options would have a significant impact on the aesthetics of your entrance.

I appreciate that, but my cats' safety comes first! I do really like the front door and it would be a huge shame if i covered it up with a new front door.

Some kind of nice, glass storm door on outside would be the best option I think.

The door and outside is beautiful, don’t want to change it too much, but would be good for security and warmth too I guess.

Move the existing front door to the front of the porch and then put on a glass internal door where the existing door is .

That door is gorgeous. You've have to do it externally but such a shame.

Yes, meant to add that as suggestion as well. See if a joiner can repurpose this door to open first.

Do you need an airlock? My indoor cats have never had one. I am just careful and never leave the door open.

Might you need permission for putting one on the outside? I think it might not be allowed of you are in a conservation area and some areas are funny about external changes to the fronts of houses.

Internal for sure.

External will look crap and every time you're coming home in the rain you'll regret it!

Internal definitely. Probably a simple glass door, depending on your personal style. A kind of internal porch. It will keep the cats in and the draughts out of your house.

Indoor cats are equivalent to indoor birds or indoor dogs, i.e. cruel. If you don't have a safe environment for an outdoor cat, do not have a cat. Sorry, but that is the truth.

My cats try to escape all the time!They wait by the door and try to dart out.

What do you say to cats with FIV/FIP who aren't allowed out of the house to prevent spread? Cats can have fulfilling and even longer lives if kept inside with lots of stimulation. I'll have you know that when I adopted them, they had been indoor cats their entire life and I was told by the rescue that they needed to be indoor cats.

Thank you, will do

All of my cats have lived very happy indoor lives. They have access to a garden. They are Persians and just not streetwise enough to be let out, plus they’d get stolen.

@Delara Would something like this work? https://cat-g8.com/products/cat-g8-front-doors?currency=GBP&variant=48688881140038&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=9201732b14a1&cat-g8.com/products/cat-g8-front-doors&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23126658611&gbraid=0AAAAA_YHLGMPW9_2RdIDUmjzM-yjuA4Ql&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqt2At8bbkwMVjY1QBh1p1yuxEAQYAyABEgIC0PD_BwE

Mine can jump on top of doors (one likes hanging out up there ..) so nothing I try could keep them out! Thank you though

Okay, that changes the context, but you didn't share this information before. As you say "My cats try to escape all the time!They wait by the door and try to dart out." That is because their natural instinct is to go outdoors, they love to sniff and maintain their home territory. Being indoors is therefore less than ideal unless it's a couch potato sort of cat.

As for the airlock at the front door, yes that's essential unless you're prepared to be hypervigilant every single time you open the front door - cats are extremely quick and if they are keen to go out (as yours are) they will take any opportunity.

I'd also recommend you install some kind of catio at the back. Ideally, to contain the entire back garden but at the very least a good-sized enclosure, so that your cats get to enjoy the sense of outdoors, which is important for their wellbeing.

They might have breathing problems which make them a lot less active than normal cats.

@RogueFemale the reason why the OP keeps her cats indoors is irrelevant to the thread .

I wouldn't mess with the outside door. Could you do something like this inside?

The reason why the OP needs to keep her cats indoors is because they instinctively want to go outside.

@Delara Looking at your front door photos, - and of course I know exactly the type of Victorian terraced you have, - I would (personally) go for the 'air lock' behind the original front door. Firstly because it will look much nicer to keep the front door as is, and secondly you'll get a bit more room if you install the second door in the internal hallway. Also easier, if you eventually sell up, for the next owner to remove the internal second door if they don't need it.