What type of screening material to use?

[Avkidd1980]

I am having my neighbor build a custom cage for my veiled chameleon. It is a hair from completion. He asked me today though what type of screening I wanted. Plastic, plastic covered fiber, plastic covered metal or straight metal? What should I say? My heat lamp and uvb lay right on top of the encloser so all metal screening so the plastic don't melt?

 

[Lathis]

I like the charcoal finish metal screen. Metal screen is stiff so it is easier to pull evenly without wrinkles, and the dark finish doesn't reflect light like the bright metal screen does. You have to be careful with it though - the dark finish scratches off easily. There are "high visibility" screens made of fiberglass that are supposedly less visually obvious than metal. Insects can chew through fiberglass screen, although that should be a minor concern. Either way, I think it's just preference for you.

If you do use metal screen, have him roll, or fold the edge to create a "safety edge" to avoid sharp screen edges. Screen splinters are the worst!

 

[Avkidd1980]

I like the charcoal finish metal screen. Metal screen is stiff so it is easier to pull evenly without wrinkles, and the dark finish doesn't reflect light like the bright metal screen does. You have to be careful with it though - the dark finish scratches off easily. There are "high visibility" screens made of fiberglass that are supposedly less visually obvious than metal. Insects can chew through fiberglass screen, although that should be a minor concern. Either way, I think it's just preference for you.

If you do use metal screen, have him roll, or fold the edge to create a "safety edge" to avoid sharp screen edges. Screen splinters are the worst!

I'll tell him but I'm sure he knows. He is a builer for a living and makes furniture for hobby. Here is the bottom portion. The top portion will stand three feet tall.

 

[Lathis]

That's going to very nice!

 

[Avkidd1980]

I think so. What I asked him for was no where near this maticulate. I just ask for a four legged base and a 2"x 2 1/2"x3" high removable cage. Lol

 

[jpowell86]

I think so. What I asked him for was no where near this maticulate. I just ask for a four legged base and a 2"x 2 1/2"x3" high removable cage. Lol

I can't wait to see the final product....it is looking good!!

 

[JGuinan007]

I would get this screening so your chams toe nails don't get caught and bugs don't get out(unless you feed blue bottle flys or fruit flys) plus it's good stainless steel so it will last longer, clean easier, and look nicer.McNICHOLS Quality 6 Mesh Square Weave Wire Mesh, 0.0350" Wire Stainless Steel, 48.0000" x 1200.0000"

 

[Avkidd1980]

I would get this screening so your chams toe nails don't get caught and bugs don't get out(unless you feed blue bottle flys or fruit flys) plus it's good stainless steel so it will last longer, clean easier, and look nicer.McNICHOLS Quality 6 Mesh Square Weave Wire Mesh, 0.0350" Wire Stainless Steel, 48.0000" x 1200.0000"

Thanks!!!

 

[JGuinan007]

You don't have to get stainless it's just what I prefer but I would not got smaller than a mesh 8 so your chams toe nails don't get ripped off or bigger than a mesh 6 so feeder crickets don't escape (unless of course you hand or cup feed) I don't know why retibreeze or Dragon strand use a mesh 10 screening I guess it is just cheaper but can harm you cham.

 

[jajeanpierre]

I would get this screening so your chams toe nails don't get caught and bugs don't get out(unless you feed blue bottle flys or fruit flys) plus it's good stainless steel so it will last longer, clean easier, and look nicer.McNICHOLS Quality 6 Mesh Square Weave Wire Mesh, 0.0350" Wire Stainless Steel, 48.0000" x 1200.0000"

Very nice but at $44 a linear foot really expensive. How wide is it?

 

[jannb]

I think so. What I asked him for was no where near this maticulate. I just ask for a four legged base and a 2"x 2 1/2"x3" high removable cage. Lol

Adult veileds, even females need a really big cage. I'd recommend at least four foot high and 5 foot would be even better. Your neighbor is doing an awesome job!

 

[Avkidd1980]

Adult veileds, even females need a really big cage. I'd recommend at least four foot high and 5 foot would be even better. Your neighbor is doing an awesome job!

Well the top half will be removable so maybe we can make another topper for when he gets bigger. Unless he is not that far along into making the top ( I'll have to ask) I already have a plan in the makes for an outdoor encloser that I'd like to be able to fit a ficus tree in. Maybe I will even bring that one indoors if I need to when older. I read natural sunlight is very beneficial for chameleons.