Take some foil and make a thick square then put tape over that on the outside of the screen. This way the snake can touch the foil but it will not harm it.
I used cardboard and covered it with foil that fits on the inside of my screen to keep some heat and humidity in. If you do that it can cover up your patch job if it bothers you.
I cut the cardboard to the shape I wanted and made a window for the heat lamps and then covered it with foil using packing tape to secure it. It works pretty well.
Did not think of that. Thanks a ton. As far as making his enclosure more secure, I'm gonna be all over that on Monday.