Opinions please!!!! Doors and top!

[newdragon2011]

We will building a DIY 4x2x2 soon. I really can't decide on a top or doors. Having a screen top seems easier in the building stage but I'm thinking it would be nicer having the lights build in too. Is it hard to regulate the heat? it seems it would stay hot. Why have you decided to have a screen or solid top?
The doors!!! Ahhhh..... Please tell me how you did your doors and why that style?
Thank you!!!

 

[Claudiusx]

My opinion is doors.
I haven't built my own enclosure but there are many threads on here of people who did and how they did their doors.

-Brandon

 

[crazykyle709]

Here is a GREAT guide for building a enclosure it explains electrical and doors in it! good luck
http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/
also here is a pic of my cage i did a wood top (melamine) and plexi glass sliding doors

also there are more pics in this link
http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=143322

 

[Helios]

I'm just finishing up my enclosure, and I did sliding plexiglass doors in the front. I wanted them to open outward, but as I'm using a metal frame, the sliding track was easier to install, and the front-opening makes cleaning a lot easier than a top-opening enclosure (also because I have two stacked, so a top-opening wasn't really feasible). BUT, now that I'm nearly finished, I've been thinking that it'd be equally easy to do a fixed window in the front and a hinged door in the wooden wall of the back. Perhaps another option to consider?

 

[Slave2Scarlett]

Here's a link to my enclosure thread.. Our doors swing out..
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=138340

 

[newdragon2011]

I've seen your thread and enclosure and really like it. I don't totally understand how you did the doors though. I see the hinges are attached to what looks like a strip of glass or plexi on either side. How are those strips attached to the enclosure?
If building again would you do 24" high or 18" high ?

 

[Slave2Scarlett]

I've seen your thread and enclosure and really like it. I don't totally understand how you did the doors though. I see the hinges are attached to what looks like a strip of glass or plexi on either side. How are those strips attached to the enclosure?
If building again would you do 24" high or 18" high ?

Actually the hinges were supposed to be secured to the wood HOWEVER when we were cutting the plexi it cracked so we had to improvise which actually worked out better.. The strips on the side are nailed down to the wood so it's very secure and they open all the way up.. Honestly I would probably do the 18" b/c the taller the viv the harder it is to get the uvb light @ the correct distance..

 

[newdragon2011]

That's what I'm thinking, 18" would be easier. Where did you get the hardware for the doors? I think I want doors to open all up rather then sliders.

 

[Slave2Scarlett]

We bought the little hinges from lowes and they actually have magnets at the bottom