Secondary Screen Door Latch

[JohnDar]

Mr. Houdini, aka. Max the cat, somehow figured out how to open the screen door (maybe it wasn't latched fully, who knows?) and saunter down the steps. Fortunately, we saw him and managed to coax him to us before he got a head of steam. So, to prevent future excursions into the great unknown, I installed a barrel latch on the door. It's easy to open/close from outside via the door slider and we've quickly become accustomed to using it. Added benefit is it creates a delay for anyone desiring to enter without an invite.

To install it required using two washers under the plate to allow it to stand off far enough to slide over the door frame. Due to the size of it and the spot where I mounted it, I could only use three machine screws to secure it, but it's not going anywhere.

In the photo is the recaptured prisoner, lamenting his reincarceration.

View attachment 25168

 

[Nabo]

Got to love those darn cats!!!!

 

[ParkIt]

I've been wondering what will happen when our cats are full timing, for my PITA kitty I'll need to replace the current screens with the wire ones and probably put plexiglas on the bottom of the door.
Didn't think about the latch but not sure she's that smart...especially when she launched off the cat perch right into the window at high velocity when a bird was snooping on the steps outside.
Of course I laughed, it was a full launch worthy of an olympic medal with a form hitting the window like an olympic diver

 

[JohnDar]

I've been wondering what will happen when our cats are full timing, for my PITA kitty I'll need to replace the current screens with the wire ones and probably put plexiglas on the bottom of the door.
Didn't think about the latch but not sure she's that smart...especially when she launched off the cat perch right into the window at high velocity when a bird was snooping on the steps outside.
Of course I laughed, it was a full launch worthy of an olympic medal with a form hitting the window like an olympic diver

I don't have the link handy, but they do make a pet-proof screen material. I installed some in the windows of our house that our two furballs have a penchant for scratching (when other cats are about). Stuff holds up very well, but is a bit heavier than the standard household screen material. I think the place I got it was Home Improvements via their catalog website. I have some left over and keep threatening to replace the lower door screen on the BH. So far, they haven't clawed it, though.

Our classic moment in the BH was after I sanded out some scratches in the Hanex counter top and applied a coat of MacGuair's paste wax. Max jumped up, slid across and off the other side.

 

[wdk450]

I had a thread on a screen door latch after my son's family with toddlers borrowed the Bighorn for a church campout. Here is what I installed:

 

[ParkIt]

I don't have the link handy, but they do make a pet-proof screen material. I installed some in the windows of our house that our two furballs have a penchant for scratching (when other cats are about). Stuff holds up very well, but is a bit heavier than the standard household screen material. I think the place I got it was Home Improvements via their catalog website. I have some left over and keep threatening to replace the lower door screen on the BH. So far, they haven't clawed it, though.

Our classic moment in the BH was after I sanded out some scratches in the Hanex counter top and applied a coat of MacGuair's paste wax. Max jumped up, slid across and off the other side.

That is the classic "I meant to do that" look, seen it too often and still laugh when I do

There is a family owned hardware store that carries a 'wire' window screen mesh for those claws that could shred a buick. They restrict the air flow a little but it keeps kitties inside, not sure how fun it will be to redo each screen since they aren't quite like the ones for the house. Eventually I want to make a kitty door when I find some sort of outdoor patio that will keep them from escaping, not sure if they still make them for screen doors but they used to.

If all fails I'll have my son bring over his Doberman puppy. He isn't sure what cats are...yet