Dog Proof Screen Doors Buyer’s Guide
In case you have a weak screen door that tends to get damaged too easily by your pets, you will be happy to know that there are quality and stronger options out there. Despite this, not every product will work for everyone. Most people have very specific preferences when choosing a screen door. In that case, it’s recommended to take your time and check all the various brands available before deciding which one works best for you.
Traditionally, screen doors are sold in rolls. They will need to be cut into a fitting size before they are installed on the door frame. But some products may require specific installation procedures and materials. Make sure you read the instructions on the packaging before you start the installation.
The most important thing for many pet owners is getting a screen door that can withstand the wear and tear caused by the pets. Standard screen doors, which tend to be cheaper, will not offer this kind of protection. You will need something that features extra strength and durability in the design. This will ensure your adventurous pet doesn’t cause any harm.
How Can Your Dog Damage the Screen Door?
It’s not uncommon for dogs to damage your screen door and most of the time they will do this through the following two ways:
- Scratching - Dogs are naturally made to scratch. They can vigorously scratch your screen door in their attempt to get out or inside the house. If you are using fabric-based screens, it’s very likely that the pooch will tear it with its claws.
- Collisions - In some cases, dogs may not realize that there’s a screen on the door. They may come through running fast only to hit the screen on their way out or in the house. This kind of force will easily tear down any fabric-based screen doors.
However, it’s possible to solve these issues by getting a durable screen door. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a few options and see how everything works.
Screen Grills
Screen greens can also be used in combination with screen doors to offer more protection. The grills are usually placed on the lower end of the screen door. They are highly durable and offer one of the easiest and most practical options in dealing with pet-related screen door damages. However, make sure you’ve picked the right size.
Visual Barriers
Dogs that crash into screen doors when excited don’t actually see the screen as they come running through. You can solve this by making the door more visible to your pet. A simple way to do this would be to attach flagging tape on the screen. It may also be a good idea to attach a solid material on a small part of the screen. The material should be placed low enough to the dog’s eye level. This will ensure the pet knows there is a barrier in front before he goes rushing through. It is important to pick something that will cause no harm to your pooch. Plastic, cardboard, and fabrics are some of the best materials you can use to give the screen door more visibility.
Screened Dog Door
A screened doggie door is designed to give the pet easy access in and out of the house even with the screen door in place. It will normally be installed at the lower end of the screen door. Although this is something that requires a little work, it will be worth it. Your pooch won’t have to scratch anytime they want to get out and in the end, this will limit possible damage to the screen.
Scratch Shield
If you have a truly adventurous dog, you will want to make sure that it can go out and play as much as possible. But having a screen door might be problematic. The pooch will keep scratching on the door until it finds a way out. You can consider adding a scratch shield in order to prevent damage to the screen door. These are simply large plastic sheets that can be attached to the door, especially on areas where the dogs scratch the most. This would be on the inside just beneath the handles.
