I'm power tool challenged! What is the best way to predator-proof my coop's window?

[harriedhomemaker]

Here's the coop in question:



There is screen that covers the window, but I know that is definitely not predator proof. I'm going to buy a roll of hardware cloth but I'm not sure how to properly affix it to the coop. The walls of the coop are made of Duratemp siding, if that helps.

I am seriously unhandy. I need it explained in little words with lots of detail!

 

[rikithemonk]

Here's the coop in question:



There is screen that covers the window, but I know that is definitely not predator proof. I'm going to buy a roll of hardware cloth but I'm not sure how to properly affix it to the coop. The walls of the coop are made of Duratemp siding, if that helps.

I am seriously unhandy. I need it explained in little words with lots of detail!

Can you take a picture of the inside of the coop. We need to see inside of the window and how the walls are, surrounding the window.

 

[harriedhomemaker]

Can you take a picture of the inside of the coop. We need to see inside of the window and how the walls are, surrounding the window.

Okay, I can do that later. The bottom half of the window slides up and down from the inside, so I thought I would try and affix the hardware cloth over the lower part of the window on the outside.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have a similar coop that came with heavy hardware cloth on the outside of the lower part of the window. I would apply it to the outside, either on the lower half or both upper and lower with washers and screws every 4 inches. some people just use a staple gun, but a raccoon could pull it off. Your window is pretty high for a raccoon, but I would make it safe. If you apply it on the inside, you can't use your window.

 

[rikithemonk]

Basically you will need a drill, inch and a quarter or longer decking screws, a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws and wide washers that fit the screws.

If your not good with using a drill to drive screws, its easier to mark your screw locations and per-drill your holes with a drill bit. Then when you use the drill to drive the screws its much much easier. I would place the screws every 6 inches for strength. The washers hold the hardware cloth in place and make it harder for the predator to tear the screw through the cloth.

General tips.

Riki

One more tip. Don't drill into the aluminum window. There are wooden studs going around the window that the window was attached to when they installed it. Those studs are what you want to anchor your screen to. Also I would cover the entire window. Top and bottom so that your in wood all the way around.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Arrow construction staples. They're strong and easy to use.

I'd staple the hardware cloth in place then nail a wooden frame over that. Hammer, staple gun, wood. No power tools involved. (Of course my husband would empty the shed for the power tools, because he's like Tim the tool man Taylor. I use a hammer and nails and get the same results,

 

[harriedhomemaker]

Thanks to each and every one of you for your responses! Nice and detailed for a construction dummy like me. What would I do without BYC?