Clear Plastic for Screen Frame

[Jabooh1]

i want to build my own enclosure for a new veiled but want to have the sides and back solid. I was thinking of using aluminum screen frame, like normal, but try to do the sides and back with clear plastic instead of screen material.

I tried searching the forum but didn't find anything. Maybe my word combination wasn't right.

Has anyone domes this before?

 

[Ilike4hornedchams]

No you probably searched right, you would be surprised how few dabble in the DIY build it yourself stuff. Check Youtube for similar project for other types of reptiles, that might help. Also consider using acrylic from Home depot! Or glass, which is harder to work with but doesn't scratch if that would ever be an issue to you. Chams don't scratch at windows a ton though so I would use acrylic because its easier to work with than glass, plus cheaper. IF YOU DO this, PLEASE make a long blog about the construction process. Everyone doing these types of projects are basically trail blazing in a way.

 

[Carlton]

i want to build my own enclosure for a new veiled but want to have the sides and back solid. I was thinking of using aluminum screen frame, like normal, but try to do the sides and back with clear plastic instead of screen material.

I tried searching the forum but didn't find anything. Maybe my word combination wasn't right.

Has anyone domes this before?

A couple of cautions about using clear sides...plexiglas can scratch very easily. Your cham may get confused by this invisible barrier to the outside, and spend a lot of time pawing at it (which would also scratch it). Sometimes if the lighting angle is just right it will create a reflection and he may consider this a constant rival and display at it. If your water's hard it will spot constantly and be hard to keep clean without moving all the cage furniture around.

You could use screen but attach plexi or clear shower curtains to the exterior sides and back to help retain moisture. This way you can remove or add plastic depending on the humidity level in your house at different times of year.

 

[Jabooh1]

A couple of cautions about using clear sides...plexiglas can scratch very easily. Your cham may get confused by this invisible barrier to the outside, and spend a lot of time pawing at it (which would also scratch it). Sometimes if the lighting angle is just right it will create a reflection and he may consider this a constant rival and display at it. If your water's hard it will spot constantly and be hard to keep clean without moving all the cage furniture around.

You could use screen but attach plexi or clear shower curtains to the exterior sides and back to help retain moisture. This way you can remove or add plastic depending on the humidity level in your house at different times of year.

So a the best of both worlds might be a screen enclosure with cut lexan panels for the outside that are removable.

That seems easy.

I was thinking also of applying green vinyl to the plastic panels as I have a vinyl cutting machine.

 

[Decadancin]

Close to what I did, I have two side panels that are screen, and the top as well. The front and back are plexiglass. I figure if you are going to do acrylic, might as well be the part you look through most. Here's a link to the pics...

https://www.chameleonforums.com/media/albums/zaphods-enclosure.2071/

 

[Jabooh1]

Close to what I did, I have two side panels that are screen, and the top as well. The front and back are plexiglass. I figure if you are going to do acrylic, might as well be the part you look through most. Here's a link to the pics...

https://www.chameleonforums.com/media/albums/zaphods-enclosure.2071/

That looks awesome. I'm not very good and staining wood so I am using aluminum screen track. I will have mine between to bookcases so I want the sides to be solid to keep the books dry.

Did you put the back picture on the outside or inside?

 

[Decadancin]

It's on the outside.