How to Protect Window Screens From Cats With Grilles

Metal grilles protect window screens by making them unreachable to cats. Many basement and first-floor windows screens are vulnerable to cat claws from both sides when the window is open. Torn window screens are useless as they allow unwanted pests like bugs and birds to enter a home. Apply a screen door grille correctly to the side or sides of the window that are threatened to eliminate the possibility of screen damage.

Things You'll Need

  • Metal screen door grille guard (fine mesh)
  • Pencil
  • Drill with 1/8-inch drill bit
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • 4 wood screws (3/4-inch)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hold the screen door grille guard horizontally as you rest it against the side of the window that you want to protect. Adjust the location of the screen grille until it allows full access to the window-lock hardware. Grille guards are available in a variety of lengths to fit windows of almost all widths.

    • 2

      Mark the location where the four side ears of the grill line up on the window frame by inserting the point of a pencil into each of the holes and spinning it to leave a small dot. Pull away the screen grille and set it off to the side.

    • 3

      Drill 1/2-inch deep guide holes into all four pencil dots to act as guide holes for the screws.

    • 4

      Reposition the screen grill over the window and line up the holes in the ears with those on the window frame. Drive in all four screws to securely attach the screen guard.