Are your home’s window and door screens showing wear and tear from your furry friends? Cats and dogs are notorious for causing damage to window and door screens, but there are ways pet owners can protect their screens from clawing kitties and excited pups.
Learn how to prevent damage to your window and door screens with upgraded materials.
Why Do I Need Pet Resistant Screens?
Pets typically damage screens by pushing them out of the frame or by scratching the mesh screening. This damage not only decreases curb appeal it increases the danger of pets escaping or falling from open windows.
Here are two of our top ways to protect your screens from furry loved ones:
1. Replace Standard Screens With Manufactured or DIY Pet-Safe Screens
There are manufacturers that make heavy-duty pet- and insect-resistant mesh screening in a variety of materials and levels of durability. These heavy-duty screens are up to seven times more durable than regular screening and provide long-lasting protection for windows and sliding or storm doors.
If you choose to replace your home’s screening by yourself, start with one screen and a small amount of heavy-duty screening material to test to make sure it’s compatible with the existing window casing. Some replacement window screening may be too thick for certain casings.
2. Install Acrylic, Wood Panels or Metal Grills to the Lower Portion of a Screen:
Dogs and cats typically push or scratch the lower third of a window or door screen. Even acrobatic cats need the lower portion of a screen to be get a foothold to climb higher. By installing acrylic or wood panels or metal grills, it’s possible to protect your screen and discourage damaging behavior. To install a screen saver to the bottom of your screen you’ll need to:
- Remove the screen from the window.
- Measure the screen from top to bottom.
- Measure the width of the window opening – between the window and the screen – from the inside surface of one window jamb to the other.
- Size an acrylic or wood panel or metal grill to fit these two measurements.
- Place the grill in the space between the window and the screen so that the brackets on each side of the grill press against the inside surface of the window jambs.
- Ensure that the window opens and closes easily.
- Mark the spots where the holes in the brackets are and remove the grill.
- Drill pilot holes in the window jambs at these spots and replace the grill.
- Drill in the screws to hold the grill in place and replace the screen.
Other Tips for Protecting Your Screens
- Install pet doors in existing screen doors.
- Provide ample scratching posts for kitties.
- Exercise pets so they’re calmer and clamor less to be outdoors.
- Add double-stick tape to windowsills to deter cats from jumping.
- Reinforce screens from the outside with duct tape, screws, nails, fence wire or hardware cloth (though these last two solutions may not be aesthetically pleasing).
Save Your Screens With Help From Glass Doctor
From screen replacement to pet door installation, Glass Doctor is your go-to for screen-saving solutions. or to learn more about our screen-saving services.