Cage Expansion / L-shape / Lofts (advice wanted)

[groovyloopylou]

Hi all!
We currently have 3 little furry potatoes(f) in a 5x2 c&c which sit on ikea tv benches/melamine sheets. The top of the grids sit approx. 83cm off the floor (so a little higher than using grids as a base, but not much)
We have managed to re-arrange the living room so we have scope to expand the cage .
The area is in a corner. On one wall we can fit a 6x2 and the other wall a 5x2.
We 100% are planning to do a minimum of 6x2.

Limitations: my Daughter lives with me. I do feel a bit of back pain some days when cleaning the cage (bearable) my daughter has a knee issue which can hinder putting weight on her bad knee when reaching into the cage to clean. It doesn't stop us in the current setup but its something I'm trying to keep in consideration before expanding. Piggie Slave accessibility is the key.

An L shaped cage would be amazing but my concern is accessing the back corner.
Are there any tips/tricks to making this easier? I've seen c&c "door" grids, would having some grids swing down at the front make life easier for cleans?

We were considering a loft and we keep arriving back at the practicality of accessing underneath for easy cleaning. We are looking at both half grid height and a full grid height options.
We could make up a kitchen out of correx for under the loft that can be slid out/cleaned?
Are there any other ideas for making the underneath area easier to access and keep clean?
What about lofts that go across the back of the cage instead of the ends if we added a grid (or grids) to support it? I know its not something I've really seen but I'm also wondering why? (unless its just the custom ramp we would have to make ourselves to make sure its not too steep to get up). It might be easier to access / clean underneath was my thinking.

I did see this "cage extension" on etsy
My son does joinery for a living so as lovely as the extension is, he could build something similar up for much less £ (other than some £ form of bribery to my Son ).
I was thinking of leaving off the lid of the structure, expanding the cage grids up so they are 2 high so we could attach another water bottle and make up a correx tray.
So basically a freestanding loft that can be lifted in and out for cleaning and accessing underneath.
Are there any immediate safety concerns you can think of with this? Any Suggestions to make it safer?
what materials are safe to build with?
Are there any suggestions of how to make the structure easy to clean pee off?

All the ideas aren't mutually exclusive
Everything is still in planning stages atm, just looking for advice about my options so I can pick a direction.
I know there's a lot of questions, but any input would be massively appreciated on any of the topics.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Piggie Mom]

If you do the freestanding loft I'd probably guess a coroplast bottom to add on top of it could make it easier to wipe off pee or then some waterproof blanket as protection. I'm guessing you have females so then it shouldn't be that much of a risk, especially if you make the grids 2x high.

If you decide to do a traditional style loft I think the kitchenette would make it most accessible.

As for what materials and grid doors I've sadly got no personal experience of doing those so can't say, but hopefully you find a solution that works for both you and your piggies!

 

[Truffolo]

The grid doors on a sort of "hinge" are best opening upwards as the hinge bits are quite shallow where they are seated in the plastic joining clip. They can't securely support other grids and are not the most secure walls themselves. Tying them with reversible cable ties would help. The hinge motion is made because only the top goes into the clip. The corner of the door grid is cut away to allow it to swing, but it also means that it can pop out of the clip more easily than other grids with square corners.

 

[Truffolo]

They look like this. They are well made, but not as secure as fully square grids

 

[flowerfairy]

I use dog lead clips to hold my opening areas of my c and c cage closed. They are so easy to undo. I use reusable velcro cable ties as the hinges.

 

[piggieminder]

One of my cages has a 4 grid long loft across the back. In the old days when it was one cage it had a grid in the middle to support it, it now has a divider along full width of cage so don't let the photo confuse you! The end grid is cable tied at the bottom but fixed closed with a bull dog clip so it drops open and I can slide the corex tray out to clean. The ramp is bent grids over lapped and cable tied together (this cage 3 grid ramp) covered with vet bed which is attached with bull dog clips (the folding arm type for safety), easy to take off and wash.
Two of my 3 grid wide cages have grids linked with rachet clips rather than cable ties on one side so that I can undo the clips and open the grid like a door making it easier to reach in and clean back corners. Cheaper than buying special door grids and the whole gap opens rather than just a part.
Hope this all makes sense it's hard to explain.

 

[groovyloopylou]

Thank you all so much for the detailed info and the pics you sent too!
its very much appreciated