1/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth (or does it really matter)

[tsperry88]

Both? This is just a thought

I did that over a window, next to where my birds roost. Everywhere else I didn't see the point in 1/4".

 

[aart]

I think raccoons can stick their hand through 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

Nahhh.

 

[rosemarythyme]

1/2" is thicker and sturdier (though you can get hardware cloth in different gauges) and will exclude any smaller predators/pests except for maybe smaller mice.

A raccoon can't reach through 1/2" openings without tearing it apart a bit more first, their paws aren't that tiny.