Asked on Jun 01, 2015

Keeping a glass patio door clean and free from scratches by pets

Patricia Pine
by Patricia Pine
We have a problem at our house with the glass patio door and I don't know how to solve it inexpensively. We have two dogs that constantly put their noses on the door to peer inside or outside which keeps it dirty. The other thing they do is scratch at the glass door when they want to be let inside and I'm afraid it's going to ruin the door. Any suggestions on how to put something across the bottom half inside and outside to stop this?
  7 answers
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jun 02, 2015
    My daughter attached a sturdy metal grid with small holes to prevent scratching damage. However, this was on a storm door so had wood to screw it into.
  • Valerie Valerie on Jun 02, 2015
    If you can get hold of strips of magnetic sheets, which are adhesive on the one side and magnetic on the other, you may be able to attach a thin sheet of steel across the bottom. Stick the adhesive side to the frame of the door, and use the magnetic side to hold the steel in position.
  • Modifiedgirl Modifiedgirl on Jun 02, 2015
    We used contact paper. Easy to clean and remove, comes in hundreds of decorative styles and colors, including clear, and tough enough even my pugs sharp nails don't seem to be a problem.
  • Lisa B. Lisa B. on Jun 02, 2015
    The metal panel is too heavy for magnetic tape. I've tried it. I finally installed pierced decorative metal panels (home depot) and secured it to the door with velcro command strips. I can still remove it for cleaning when needed, and it's not permanent if I no longer want it. You could do the same thing with a plexiglass panel.
    • Valerie Valerie on Jun 02, 2015
      @Lisa B. Hi Lisa Thanks for this information. The velcro idea is a great alternative.
  • Msi1170121 Msi1170121 on Jun 02, 2015
    There are some pet supply catalogs that carry a shield to protect doors from doggy nails..Drs. Foster and Smith come to mind or you might check Solutions. As for nose prints on the door...that's like kids handprints...they just happen. That's what Windex is for. One of my earliest memories is of being handed the Windex and a rag and being told to wipe off my marks on doors, walls,ETC. I've tried to get my fur kids to do this but it seems hopeless. Sigh!
    • Patricia Pine Patricia Pine on Jun 02, 2015
      @Msimpson45 Thanks for the idea of looking in the pet supply catalog. As for the windex, when I do that, it's dirty again by the end of the day. We're putting our house up for sale soon, and especially when that time comes, I don't want to be constantly windexing the door before clients arrive.
  • Elihen Elihen on Jun 09, 2015
    Citronella. Cats and dogs abhore the scent. Rub or spray the doorframe/area with the scent. Most petstores have citronella. It is used for a natural tick and flea repelent in my country. My cat freeked out and tried to get away from her self poor dear, it was rather comical and my barker couldn't get away fast enough. For us humans it is not an unpleasant smell...well, everything is relative, but it may be worth a try and certainly less work. If it works, less hastle than some of theother worthy suggestions...Good luck!
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Mar 19, 2016
    HA! Get used to owning dogs and kids.