Opinions! Does this door need hardware cloth? *PICS*

[gritsar]

We are wanting to make some revisions to a coop and need input.

Our second coop has two solid doors on the front. Because these doors being closed would make the coop far too hot during our summers, we have a screened door for 2/3rds of the opening and intend to build a frame, covered in hardware cloth for the other 1/3. The solid doors will remain open pretty much all year round -night and day - except in cases of extreme bad weather and the coldest of winter days.

My question concerns the screen door. It's a very nice (read:expensive) screen door, with the screen built into the door, not inserted with rubber holding it in place.

We are unsure whether it will be necessary to cover the screened portion of this door with hardware cloth. Given the fact that the bottom of the screen will be at least 4 ft. off the ground and there will be no trees or other things that a predator could use to climb up on nearby, should we remove the screen and cover the opening in the hardware cloth instead?

I don't think using both the hardware cloth and screen is an option. Between the heavy duty, close weave design of the screen and the small diameter of the squares in the hardware cloth, it would pretty much cancel out the whole reason for having a screen door in the first place; which is to allow maximum air flow.

Opinions?

 

[AinaWGSD]

I sure would. There may not be anything near by for predators to climb on, but a large raccoon or determined coyote could easily and effortlessly jump that high and a screen, no matter how strong, wouldn't stand a chance against that. If you didn't want to remove the current screen but don't think that there would be enough air movement with 1/2" hardware cloth, how about using 2x4 welded wire or something similar on the outside instead? The larger openings would allow the air flow you are looking for, but you would also get the added protection of the sturdier fencing material.

 

[redhen]

I would put something over that screen to make it stronger..
A coon could rip through that like butter..
Is the door wood? Can you just nail hardwire over the screen into the wood of the door..i'd nail it to the inside of door... so it wouldnt show from the outside.. (i'd use u nails )


I have no clue what i'm talking about...

 

[chicken wild]

it does need something. probably hardwarecloth

 

[luvchicks8]

I say yes also

 

[Farmington]

I replaced the screen on my door with hardware cloth, not just because it's more durable, but screen would be all gunked up with dust, dander and cobwebs in no time, and clog it up. The larger mesh is the way to go for security, and ventilation.


Here is what I did with my ready made screen door:

 

[Cargo]

Say yes to hardware cloth!

 

[BWKatz]

If using just one I'd go for the hardware cloth. I've heard of people using both to protect against predators and mosquitoes.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Thats what we do.. cause the mosquitoes are sooo bad here.

 

[gritsar]

Hardware cloth it is. Thanks