Glass tracks

[scalawag]

Ok, I know I overthink everything. I'm going to use sliding glass doors on my new enclosure. Lowe's has these plywood runners 1/4 " wide that are maybe 1/4' high made out of I think it was aluminum. It was very sturdy. The sliding glass tracks that glass companies have, have some type of runner that goes on the bottom of the glass to slide on. Is this neccessary? Or just the bare glass? Thanks.

[Big Mike]

I think the ones you are thinking of are for big heavy pieces of glass. Also, you would have to be careful to avoid too much substrate or other gunk into the track & runners.

I have seen simple plastic track at Home Depot. It was very inexpensive and I think that is what most people use for their herp enclosures.

[lostwithin]

Yup, I use the same plastic stuff bought an 8 foot piece for under 2 bucks, works great, For one of my cages made of plywood I just made a two 1/4 grooves instead not the best but works fine, good luck,
Devon

[klein]

i bought the 4 foot plastec piece from home depot for my enclouse and it slides very good. i bought the one that was used for 1/4" plexi glass

[Invictus]

I also buy the plastic tracks, but it's like $7 for the 4' tracks here, $10 for a 6' track. Anyway, they work quite well.

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by Invictus
I also buy the plastic tracks, but it's like $7 for the 4' tracks here, $10 for a 6' track. Anyway, they work quite well.

That's what im paying for mine aswell.. Would love to find them cheaper :D

[scalawag]

How do ya'll lock the glass?

[Lisa]

home depot has the plastic one's cheaper

i would use lexan or plexi instead of glass. we're in the process of swapping out our glass for plexi.

as for locking we use sticks like you would on a patio door though some people use sliding display locks that are available from home hardware.

[C.m.pyrrhus]

Most folks use a display case lock which pulls the two panes of glass together..or simply use a wedge. The lock is a better idear.

[klein]

i bought my plastic track at home depot and it was $7 for the 4 foot

[scalawag]

Ok, 1 more question, I think. I've got my enclosure built except for litter dams, glass and tracking for glass. I've checked all the photos of doors on this site and it appears that most people put the glass tracks on the top edge of the litter dams as opposed to putting it on the floor of the enclosure. It seems to me to be more sturdy on the floor of the enclosure as opposed to the former. Any thoughts on this.

[BoidKeeper]

Where are you guys getting it?
Cheers,
Trevor

[wingl]

Originally posted by scalawag
Ok, 1 more question, I think. I've got my enclosure built except for litter dams, glass and tracking for glass. I've checked all the photos of doors on this site and it appears that most people put the glass tracks on the top edge of the litter dams as opposed to putting it on the floor of the enclosure. It seems to me to be more sturdy on the floor of the enclosure as opposed to the former. Any thoughts on this.

I mounted mine on the floor. I bought plastic corner protecters and cut them down to size as a litter guard and it works great. Your right it is much more stable.

[wingl]

Originally posted by Lisa
home depot has the plastic one's cheaper

i would use lexan or plexi instead of glass. we're in the process of swapping out our glass for plexi.

as for locking we use sticks like you would on a patio door though some people use sliding display locks that are available from home hardware.

Just curious why you're switching? Isn't plexi more prone to scratching and costs more? I have glass and the only drawback I see is the weight of the glass.

[klein]

i agree wingl, plexi does scratch more, costs more but weighs less, we will see what lisa has to say, i only use glass and have had no problems as of yet

[retic]

i also agree plexi/lexan starts to get a dull tinge to it after a while and starts to warp from all the heat and humidity and also scratches way to easy, i use 5mm glass with polished edges, or if you want more strength use tempered but regular is fine

[proud2bcanadian]

I would suggest acrylic.
I haven't actually built anything out of it, though I've heard good things about it (some people like it - some people don't).
Up here, it's really cheap -> 8foot x 4foot piece (at a 0.125'' thickness... 1/4'' is double that price)is $50.00 Canadian.

[Mark]

I pay $1 foot for track. I think I have something like 140 feet of the stuff..lol. I perfer the palstic track since I can't afford the metal ball bearing system ($11+ ft)