Montana Screen Door

[RKassl]

Has anyone added that screen door grill from CW that protects the lower screen door from kids and pets?

Wondering how it really looks and how is it attached?

Thanks.

[campbud]

We did! We really like it. It comes with the instructions and very easy to install.

[Bill and Ann]

We have added a lucite/plexiglass panel to the upper and lower parts of our door. It allows us to leave the outer door open in summer and winter and get the light from having the door open. The furnace and/or AC can be run also.

[nkwist]

Lucite panels here too!. Held on with a few strips of Velcro. Works great for us.

[Chuck and Carol]

We did the lucite panels too. Stole the idea from Bill and Ann. We put pretty decals on the top and bottom. Looks nice and like Bill said, you can keep the door open. I like that open feeling.

Carol and Chuck

[bob n pam]

We used a different type of grill, more of an expanded metal screen grate, which our dog's feet wouldn't fit through.

[toolmanroy]

We have both the top and bottom panels from CW. They work well with the grandkids.

[RonS]

Also installed a dog grill after our dog decieded she wanted out when we went next to visit neighbors. Was real easy to screw on and looks nice. Purchased the correct size from a hardware store,

[5rvers]

I would like to mount the Lucite panels. Are there any problems with the Lucite panels when you have to close the outer door? Do you have to remove the Lucite panels?

Thanks,

[jrgwdenner]

Glen put plexiglass on the lower half of our door. It's great to keep Greta from scratching through the screen. Now we have a related problem. When we are using only the screen door, Greta pushes the door open easily. What have you used to lock the screen door?

[Bill and Ann]

Almo (5rvers) I mounted ours on the inside of the door. Easy to remove and the dogs can't push and ruin the screen.
Judy (jrgwdenner) We only have two little dogs (lapso/shiz) not a problem with us. I can see where a big dog could open the door. The only thing you can do it put a slide bolt inside the door.

[Chuck and Carol]

We use one of those hook and eye catches to lock the door. Keeps our over 100# shepard in just fine.

Carol

[OntMont]

Just a note on clear plastic panels. There are two types of plastic that are available for this. One is Lucite or Plexiglas, those are brand names for acrylic plastic, the other is Lexan, that is the brand name for polycarbonate plastic. Polycarbonate is much tougher than acrylic. I have seen acrylic panels crack, so if you are going to all the work of doing this, my suggestion would be to spend a bit more, and get the polycarbonate. (available at Home Depot etc.)

As for fastening them on, you can buy little clips that clamp on to the inside edge of the screen opening. They are called "screen clips" and are available at Ace Hardware in either white aluminum or nylon, ours are nylon to prevent scratching. The clips allow you to remove the panels without leaving any trace that they were ever there.

One final suggestion, when you cut out the panels, round off the corners slightly to avoid cutting into the screen material.

All that said, acrylic plasic will certainly work well, just be aware that acrylic can crack if mis-handled.

[jrgwdenner]

Thanks for the hook and bolt suggestions. We definitely need something like that. Last night Greta chased her first truck in three months and it was scarey. This campground (Yakama Nation RV Resort) is so roomy that there is traffic driving through it. We've grown accustomed to the parking lots in Alaska. I'm sure she thought it was great.

[5rvers]

All,

Thanks for the info!

[Just148]

OntMont, Thanks for your expertise..

[Dustytuu]

Don took the lip thing off (that fastens the screen door) and screwed in a little bigger hard plastic piece and our Schnauzers haven't been able to push door open yet. He used part of the plastic box that screws came in for the lip for door. We also bought a screen door guard from hardware store that they can't get their feet through.

[ols1932]

We used the grills from CW. Installed ours when unit was new in 2000. Has really protected the screen. Haven't considered the lucite since I felt it would tend to block incoming breeze a little.

[carlson]

No offense to CW.
Go to Home Depot or Lowe, they have a door protector for about $14 to $16.
It is white and matches the door perfectly.
The ends can stap off for the predrill holes, but it is just a little too long.
What I did was saw the ends off just inside the last hole, drill a new set of holes and pop-rivet it to the door.
It looks like it came on the door.

[mobilrvn]

Had our CW grille on our old 5W for 11 yrs and then transfered it to the Montana over a yr ago and it still looks fine. While it protected the screendoor, it has allowed the dogs and cat to get a full head of steam up, hit the door and blow it open. Have put the safety chain type lock on it about 6" above the latch so we can lock and unlock it from the outside through the access door. Had to put a bungie on the access door because the cat figured out how to slide it open and unfasten the screendoor.