Antikoshka grid: advantages and disadvantages of protective lattices for pets

With the arrival of heat in most apartments begins the period of open windows. For many ordinary people it is not known that it poses a great danger to their pets. The fact is that cats are extremely curious animals, they cannot calmly walk alongside even with a very narrow window, they definitely need to look out.

Unfortunately, quite often this activity ends in death, which is why cat owners are recommended to install a special anti-screen mosquito net on the windows.

Everyone knows that cats have an exceptional sense of balance, they are able to climb narrow branches of trees, railings or balcony railings. And in fact, they do an excellent job with this, but, unfortunately, not always.At any moment, the animal may suddenly lose its balance and fall. If the housing is located on the lower floors, and right under the window of a bed with soft soil, then the fall will not harm them. This ability of cats is well known to all. But if the apartment is located on a high floor, and hard asphalt below, then in this situation the special ability of cats to fall will not help.

When I first heard this amusing name, something negative and hostile to pets immediately comes to mind, however, this type of net does not bring anything but good for pets.

Standard mosquito nets are unsuitable for animal protection.. They are too light, and the mount is weak, so they simply can not cope with the pressure from the representatives of the cat. Their razor-sharp claws tear the canvas, and the barriers themselves often fall out, unable to bear the weight of the frolicking pets.

It is necessary to dwell in more detail on the differences between the usual grid and the "anti-window", which are as follows:

• anti-knit mesh is made from a special stainless steel fabric;
• standard fence can be easily removed by simply pressing or pushing; any adult pet can easily overcome such a barrier;
• The “antikoshka” is distinguished by a high strength on breaking, therefore cats cannot damage its integrity, even if they climb on it and cling to claws;
• Metal fence rods have a special solder joint, making it almost impossible to push them even to a person.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that mosquito grids from cats and simple metal versions are not the same thing, the latter are quite traumatic, because pets can get hurt.

Fences for the protection of animals, as a rule, are released in gray or black versions, since cats intuitively associate these colors with an obstacle. Therefore, it would not occur to them to once again jump onto such a grid. The thickness of the “anti-cat” is 2–4 times greater than the corresponding parameter of a conventional mosquito. They are fastened with an extremely durable and reliable frame mechanism that ensures effective fixation on the window frames.The product is mounted on top, bottom, and also on the sides with the help of brackets.

Quite often, when a pet out of curiosity tries to look out of a window opened in this way, it instantly slides down and injures its back. On a rather slippery plastic he simply has nothing to cling to with his claws. Every year hundreds of domestic animals die in this way.

Grid "antikoshka" has advantages and disadvantages. As consumer reviews show, the advantages include the following:

• stability of the structure, which guarantees complete safety of the cat. High-quality mesh can easily withstand up to 20 kg. Few members of the cat family can boast such dimensions;
• the grid itself is quite strong and durable; under the pressure of animals, it does not sag or deform;
• fasteners are stable fixation and efficiency. They are represented by three rows of brackets, which are characterized by increased resistance to loads. Even the largest birds, such as ravens or jackdaws, will not be able to enter residential areas;
• the material is completely safe for cat claws;

• the product is characterized by extremely high throughput capacity - air easily enters the room through millimeter cells on the grid, so good ventilation is provided, a favorable temperature condition and microclimate in the house is formed;
• wear resistance - even if the animal clings to the mesh with claws, the coating does not form burrs due to the use of anti-claw technology;
• The optimum ratio of price and quality. Of course, the "anti-cat" is more expensive than simple mosquito protection, but you should not "buy" for cheap. Products at low prices, as a rule, are made of low quality PVC;
• The “anti-cat” is easy to use - it is easy to clean and it does not corrode at all, which distinguishes it from mosquito nets made of aluminum.

However, the grid has drawbacks, such as:

• the cost of such a product is higher than its simple standard analogues;
• the mesh is made of thick dark colored threads, so the “anti-cat” lets in less light. This can be a decisive disadvantage in rooms with low natural lighting;
• Due to the special system of fasteners, the pet net is not removed.Dismantling can be carried out only after unscrewing screws and bolts. However, manufacturers have eliminated this disadvantage by equipping a small window in the grid through which you can wash both the grid and the window.

Able to bear the weight of a cat, it will easily collapse under the onslaught of even the weakest baby, so in this case you should consider installing special security locks on plastic windows.

The finished products presented in the stores are made in three versions: from steel, aluminum and plastic. Each of them has its pros and cons. If a fine mesh of polymeric materials protects animals from falling and at the same time prevents penetration of mosquitoes and flies, the metal mesh allows more sunlight into the room and is more resistant to mechanical damage.

Metal owners prefer large-breed pets, and while for small ones there is enough plastic nets.. Quite often, the choice of material is influenced by the cost of such a fence, its dimensions and features of window openings.Appearance also plays a big role, because the grid is an important part of the interior of a house or apartment.

The grid can be made of various materials.

• Steel grid It is a simple sheet of metal wire, intertwined with each other and secured in a special frame. Cells of such a grid are 1–5 cm in size, the choice of which is largely due to the size of a pet. At wire intersections, fastening is enhanced by spot welding, so a 100% secure fence is formed, which can be used for several seasons.

• Aluminum grid - This is the rarest variety, designed to protect cats from falling, because its threads can not be attached to each other. If the animal has a rather big weight or just likes to climb on the vertical mesh surface, then the protection will last for a very short time, because the wires quickly pull down, forming ugly holes and sags, and they can get out of the net at all.The plus of such material is low cost and realization in the form of rolls.

• Polyester Mesh - This is the best option "antikoshki." Such models are the cheapest, but at the same time the most convenient. Nylon threads of plastic fibers have a thickness of 0.5–0.7 mm. They are tightly intertwined, forming cells 1x1.5 or 1.65x1.65 mm. For the greatest strength of the joints, they additionally solder with each other. These are particularly durable nets, as each individual thread can easily withstand up to 4 kg of animal weight. Polyester products are available only in dark color.

Regardless of the material from which the mesh is made, the following general requirements are imposed on the "anti-sash":

• they must be distinguished by increased resistance to point mechanical loads, as well as being strong at tearing and sagging. The net should easily withstand the animal jumping onto it and crawling along the threads;
• Products should be easily installed on windows of any type, as well as on balcony structures made of a wide variety of materials - wood, metal or plastic;

• the coating must be practical and durable, it must retain its original shape for several years;
• the “anti-roll” grid should not restrain the flow of fresh air into the rooms;
• the grid should fit harmoniously into any interior.

In this case, the grid is significantly removed from the glass.

When deciding on the optimal grid, you should focus on the following points:

• product material;
• fixation fortress;
• mesh dimensions;
• cell size;
• coloring material.

At least half of the success falls on the correct measurement of the window opening, because it is very important that the design fits tightly into the opening of the window. All fastenings "antikoshki" must necessarily be metal, plastic will not sustain the weight of the cat.

Choosing between materials of all types, it is necessary to give preference to PVC.Since such barriers are considered to be more functional and reliable, the period of their safe use reaches 15 years.

The most common and commercially available options for the “anti-picture” nets are made of polyester, equipped with a durable aluminum frame and plastic brackets. Unfortunately, this fastener is often not enough, so you should use additional methods of fixation.

There are two basic installation options, such as:

• plastic corners - this method is suitable for windows located on the ground floor, since such fastenings sometimes “surrender” under the weight of a jumping pet and the net falls out;
• steel corners provide greater protection due to the greatest fixing fasteners.

As a rule, new windows are pre-equipped with a mosquito net. If a representative of the cat family lives in the family, it is not necessary to spend money on the purchase of the “anti-cat” mesh, you can make it yourself, taking the already existing one as a base. For this purpose, it is necessary to purchase in the store a net for cages, self-tapping screws, screws for side mounting and an aluminum threshold.

Works are performed in the following sequence:

• the workpiece is cut and fastened to the frame from the inside using self-tapping screws, the fixing step is about 2–3 cells;
• plates are made of aluminum threshold, which are used to reinforce plastic mounts. In the same way perform side fasteners, only in them it is necessary to drill holes and bend in a zigzag manner;
• a hole is also made in the center of the frame, and a pair of curved plates is screwed on the inside with bolts;

When buying a finished mesh, the sequence of works will include the following main steps:

• for a start, preparing the basis on which the grid will be fixed. To do this, a frame is attached to its inner surface, and outside the corners are made of metal profiles, which are designed to fix the entire structure as it is used;
• further, the grid is directly mounted on the window opening. It is worth paying attention to the fact that quite often the standard set of fasteners is not enough, so there is a need to use additional fixation.

It is possible not to take it off for the winter, as modern technologies allow creating frost-resistant materials that retain their shape and physical and technical characteristics under the influence of adverse weather factors.

Such a grid does not require any special care. Completely it is enough to wash it 1-2 times a year with a simple soap solution.

Some unscrupulous manufacturers offer customers a simple mosquito net, posing as a metallized "anti-coat". Therefore, you should pay attention to the fact that today the industry has not yet created any metallized mosquito nets, there are only polymer, steel and aluminum, and recognize them quite simply:

• stainless steel mesh look like polished cutlery, but they are absolutely not attracted by a magnet;
• steel mesh, on the contrary, they magnetize well;
• aluminum options lacking luster, they are dull and also do not respond to a magnet;
• plastic models begin to melt in the flame of a match or lighter.

Since the shade of a polymer model in dim lighting visually resembles metal, it is therefore quite easy to confuse it, which dishonest sellers use to sell their goods more expensively.

To date, the construction market offers a large selection of various grids. They are very often used as an alternative to the damaged canvas of a conventional grid, but they cannot be used as an “anti-cat”.

How to make a grid "anti-picture" with your own hands, see the video below.