Screen Door on Coop - Enough Protection for Winter?

[chickachee]

I'd like to put a regular metal type screen door on my coop and take off the metal service door that's on there now. This would be for additional ventilation for the summer. I would replace the screen in the door with hardware cloth for protection against predators. Another reason I'd like to replace the door, is that to let in the breeze now, I put a screen door in the door opening, kind of wedge it in (it's not the correct size for the door opening - it's larger) and put a concrete block against it to hold it closed. Kind of a pain to do each and every time I want to go into the coop.

My hubby thinks that since our coop is insulated (we're in MN), that the screen door would be a "breach" in the winter as far as letting in too much cold. I think if I close the glass part it should be ok.

What do you all think? Thanks for your input.

Sheila

 

[leadwolf1]

The cold isn't so much the problem as the draft that might get in around the door. Can you do both the screen door and a real door for winter use?

 

[chickachee]

Thanks for the response. The only thing is, if I do both doors, one of them will have to open to the inside and this may be a hassle, as I'm doing the DLM and it would just push all of the shavings to one side. Plus I don't think hubby would appreciate having to re-do the opening of the coop to accommodate both doors. I would put weatherstripping around the screen door to alleviate some/most of the drafts. Also having a door open to the inside, it would either bump into the roosts/poop board one one side, or the nest boxes on the other.

Thank you. Anyone else?

 

[leadwolf1]

MN winters are pretty cold for just a screen door to handle. I would think that the cold would seep right through. Good luck on your choice.

 

[NovaAman]

A storm door... With the interchangeable screen to glass, with a good weather seal.

 

[chickachee]

Yeah, I should've said a storm door right off the bat. That's what I meant to say...