How to keep a window from opening too widely?

Question

I am moving into an apartment, and I have a cat. I need to alter the windows in a way so that it can’t be opened beyond a couple of inches - little enough that there’s no chance of that cat slipping out. Here are the catches:

• We can’t alter/damage the window frame in any way; we have to be able to leave it just as we found it. No screwing into the frame.
• We’d rather not install screens, as we really love the view.
• We’re hoping for something that can be done with easily accessible hardware, since we’ll be stuck with the windows closed until we figure this out.

I imagine two strategies: a cord/chain of some sort that limits how far open the window can go, or something to jam into the hinge so that it stops earlier than at it’s built-in bump. But I am open to other options!

This is my first time trying to do something like this, and I’m not sure who I could ask about this other than the internet. Thanks in advance.

Any thoughts or ideas could help!

Answer 1

It appears that the regulation for the angle of the window is the distance between the mounting screws for the rails in which the brace slides.

The ideal work-around would entail removing the bottom screw from each side and inserting a metal shim that fits within the track below the slider. Return the screw and the slider cannot drop far enough to open the window to cat-head-width. CAUTION: cats can pass through holes far smaller than you might think!

One aspect of this method is that the sliding mechanism, including the rail, has to be accessible when the window is closed to the maximum desired opening.

But wait, there's a work-around to that as well.

The shim that would have been inserted between the bottom screw and the slider now has a slot to allow it to pass around the bottom screw. It is of sufficient length to reach to the bottom of the window frame and can be slipped into place even if the window opens only a few inches.

Depending on the width of the pivot assembly, one may be able to purchase a piece of aluminum or steel of sufficient width to work in this manner. The Home Depot has a materials section with solid aluminum rod and flat as well as solid steel rod and flat. Aluminum is easier to work and should hold up well enough if one does not slam things together.

You'd need a piece thin enough to slip under the inward facing lips with sufficient width to engage as much of the lip area as possible. Even if the thinnest piece you find is too thick, you could file or sand away material to get it to fit in place.

In the image above, the top represents the view from above if the flat aluminum is thin enough to fit in the groove/lips. The bottom is the answer if the piece is too thick, and has the corners filed/sanded away to provide placement.

All of this should work with the recently revealed "bumps" that provide limitation of travel of the sliding mechanism. The bumps are going to pose a problem with placing a single spacer above the screw, but the single spacer above the screw can be of the right hand side of my original drawing with a hole for the screw to engage.

Answer 2

You could go with an

adjustable window screen,

One that is just tall enough to discourage your smart cat but not so big it blocks the entire window and your view.

It slides to adjust to the width of your opening, you could put it up when needed and take it down when not needed.

If it does not fit exactly or does not stay in place then You can make some modifications and learn to love your adjustable window screen.

Answer 3

If you're lazy like me fit a regular security chain,

or maybe you can jam that track using a coin.