Storm door for enclosure door?

I'm writing up the plans for huge enclosures for my scrub and retic. I'm talking like at least 5x5x6. Considering the wall space is 12' wide with walls on both sides, I'm trying to figure out how to get into the enclosures. I could leave enough space on both sides to get in, but then it's quite tight.

So I'm thinking put the door on the front. Initially I was thinking make a 2x4 door frame and slide in a plexiglass sheet. The benefits of this are that I could do 4x6 door, which is an odd shape, as far as doors go, but it's custom, so who cares. But I'm not sure it'll be stable or tight enough edges. So my other idea is a storm door, like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Andersen...36WH/202985062. The downside is it's only 3ft wide, so that'd cut down on the viewing space. Plus, I'd need to bump the height to like 7' to accommodate the door. However, the benefit is that it's prebuilt, highly durable, with hopefully tight edging. The cost of both is close enough to not worry about the difference.

Any thoughts?

Cheap 4x6 or smaller slider. Fixed panel on the inside so no injuries to the snake.

Small like for a trailer or double wide.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by 303_enfield

Cheap 4x6 or smaller slider. Fixed panel on the inside so no injuries to the snake.

Small like for a trailer or double wide.

Good luck!

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Brain blast. What about a shower door? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-Si...1816/206268714

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Originally Posted by wnateg

Brain blast. What about a shower door? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-Si...1816/206268714

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I was just about to ask if you had looked at shower doors. You'd have to make some alterations though obviously, I think most of them stay closed with a magnet and something as heavy as a retic leaning on it would pop it right open.

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Originally Posted by Hugsplox

I was just about to ask if you had looked at shower doors. You'd have to make some alterations though obviously, I think most of them stay closed with a magnet and something as heavy as a retic leaning on it would pop it right open.

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Yea these shower doors look absolutely perfect, and they’re minimum 0.25” tempered glass too. So I think I’ll go with them, and they’re built to block water, so I imagine they don’t have huge gaps for escape or anything. For securing closed, it depends on how the door functions, I guess, but a sliding key lock between the doors may work or a removable brace.

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Originally Posted by wnateg

Yea these shower doors look absolutely perfect, and they’re minimum 0.25” tempered glass too. So I think I’ll go with them, and they’re built to block water, so I imagine they don’t have huge gaps for escape or anything. For securing closed, it depends on how the door functions, I guess, but a sliding key lock between the doors may work or a removable brace.

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You're right I would think the gaps would be workable if they exist at all. The door should be solid enough to prevent anyone pushing say the bottom or top corner out if the lock is in the middle. I think it's doable, and would love to see a progression thread!

Shower door with a retic? Can we say broken glass everywhere. Sliders are made to take 100MPH+ wind debris. The 1/4" glass shower door didn't survive my four year old daughter an her shampoo bottle.

Now, I bet some manufacturers make fall resistant shatter proof glass. But as the "fixer" for the families construction an hotel business. I don't want too tell you how many I replaced because people "pushed" up against them. An a Retic will push on it!

A slider will be double paned to add strength an energy value.

I would use an acrylic sheet before a shower door. But a slider would be cheaper an faster.

Cheap ReliaBilt patio doors come with locks installed for under $300 at Lowes. Scratch an dent or returns run $150. If your area has ReStores, you can find deals.

A cheap perhung full view glass doors would work. Put a dead bolt in it an your good till the snake picks your lock:O

What ever you decide think about using window film of some type. More so the snake doesn't see out an think food. A Retic striking glass at face level is unnerving.

Good luck!

Interesting. I though 0.25” tempered was pretty standard for reptile enclosures. Even when I just had 0.25” annealed it handled my retic striking it. Is it just more susceptible to break at larger sizes?

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Originally Posted by wnateg

Interesting. I though 0.25” tempered was pretty standard for reptile enclosures. Even when I just had 0.25” annealed it handled my retic striking it. Is it just more susceptible to break at larger sizes?

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Yes. .25 with a larger surface area will give faster, it will flex. If a Retic or Berm pushes an feels the flex, he's found the way out. Then you have a thousand pieces on the floor. Go to Lowes or what ever store is close. Look at the doors an push on them. Look at the frame. Is it a rubber gasket holding the plate or 1/2" aluminum an gasket? Look at the track, if the snake pushes low will it come out of the track?

With snakes (any animal/pet) whatever can go wrong will. Had a young Redtail Boa break the glass door on an AP T8. Butthead pushed the plastic water bowl through it. It hit just at the right angle with the edge.

Good luck an post pics when your done!

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Originally Posted by 303_enfield

Yes. .25 with a larger surface area will give faster, it will flex. If a Retic or Berm pushes an feels the flex, he's found the way out. Then you have a thousand pieces on the floor. Go to Lowes or what ever store is close. Look at the doors an push on them. Look at the frame. Is it a rubber gasket holding the plate or 1/2" aluminum an gasket? Look at the track, if the snake pushes low will it come out of the track?

With snakes (any animal/pet) whatever can go wrong will. Had a young Redtail Boa break the glass door on an AP T8. Butthead pushed the plastic water bowl through it. It hit just at the right angle with the edge.

Good luck an post pics when your done!

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Okay, thank you! Exactly why I made this thread. I’ll definitely go to the store and look at some of the options.

and yea, I read a post on this forum of a retic shattering glass from plopping onto it, so I definitely know it’s a potential issue.

for sure, I’ll make a build thread.