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sliding glass doors

TBH Mar 27, 2006 02:32 PM

i was wondering what thickness/size glass you guys use when building sliding glass doors for your cages. i don't wanna be jocked around by the glass guy into buying something unnecessarily expensive. right now i'm looking at 2 3'X3' pieces but I'm not sure how thick i should have it, 1/8"? 1/4"?
any responses will be great, i'll post pictures when I'm finished.

Replies (8)

FR Mar 27, 2006 06:44 PM

Your going to be moving the doors, washing them. Taking them in and out. You don't want something so thin that the littlest mistake will cause it to break. Cheers

TBH Mar 27, 2006 11:15 PM

thanks for the input, but after thinking of a way to make it easyer to make such large doors, i thought about making two sliding glass doors. 17" tall by 36" wide by 1/8" thick. i'm gonna have em sliding one above the other. do you think that would handle it? there is about a $50 difference in price per 3'X3' piece of glass. i think since the glass is not as tall it will be more supported and won't be quite so weak.
thanks,
-jake

pgross8245 Mar 28, 2006 07:16 AM

Not being a cage builder, but having multiple cages with sliding glass doors, go with the 1/4". As Frank was saying, you will be handling these pieces of glass so stronger is better. Mine are 1/4" and as careful as I am, I have nicked a corner and taken a small chip off an edge. I would spend a little more now instead of having to replace a door if it broke. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

Pam
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2.3 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado, Oro, Dora, Freckles & Amarillo)
1.1 varanus acanthurus acanthurus (Tabasco & Sprite)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba) RIP Ayana
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. ocellata (Zuhri & Ashai)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)

Herps Are Awesome!

tegulevi Mar 28, 2006 08:42 AM

dont use glass at all. use 1/4" lexan. its is almost as clear as glass and stong as hell. Its practically unbreakable, you can even put it in a sheet metal break and bend it without breaking it. you can cut it with a circular saw and drill holes if needed. i highly suggest it

bighurt Mar 28, 2006 12:35 PM

Np
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's -Coming Soon-
0.1 Albino RTB -Coming Soon-
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's -Coming Soon-
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
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1.0 Ball Python
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pgross8245 Mar 28, 2006 12:36 PM

Does it scratch easily? I know some people have used plexiglass and it looks terrible after a short time due to scratches.

Pam
-----
2.3 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado, Oro, Dora, Freckles & Amarillo)
1.1 varanus acanthurus acanthurus (Tabasco & Sprite)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba) RIP Ayana
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. ocellata (Zuhri & Ashai)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)

Herps Are Awesome!

tegulevi Mar 28, 2006 01:00 PM

it will scratch a little but not near as much as plexi. it is a much better alternative than glass or plexi. no monitor could shatter it like glass. but they might be able to scratch it with some effort

geaux Mar 29, 2006 06:34 PM

I would go with the 1/4 inch. My doors on my enclosure are 3'wide and 4'tall they slide smoothly and are fairly strong. I had mine tempered because I have a young daughter and don't want them breaking into large pieces if she hits it with a toy. without the tempering each sheet cost me $52 @ my local glass guy. Don't skimp if you don't have to. As for Lexan it will scratch my monitors always scratch at the door and no matter how much stronger Lexan is it will scratch over time and will need to be replaced.

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