Fido Barrier

Screen protectors are not new to the RV world, but Lippert’s Screen Defender (https://amzn.to/3pyY2K9) reinvented the installation process to make it simplicity personified — without the use of any tools, except possibly a tape measure.

The Screen Defender is a metal mesh insert that attaches to the bottom portion of the screen, so long as this area is more than 20 inches high. Don’t get overwhelmed by the seven pages of instructions: The process is exceptionally easy, taking only a few minutes to accomplish.

First, a determination must be made whether the provided extrusions are needed to fill any gap between the center bar of the screen door and bottom of the frame. To establish the need for extrusions, the metal mesh insert is pre-fit on the screen and any visible gap is measured. We had to put two extrusions together to make a 2-inch gap filler (taking into account a Lippert Screen Shot bar we previously installed). This is done by sorting through the provided extrusions and finding the right combination. For this project, two pieces were pressed together, setting the barbs that are used as fasteners.

Once the extrusions are set, they are placed in the lower portion of the screen door frame and the Screen Defender is simply positioned on top. The spring-loaded latches are then employed to secure the mesh insert into both sides of the screen door frame. In no time you’re done, and the metal mesh insert is solidly in place, ready for the wrath of fido — or even an errant human foot. The Screen Defender can be purchased at Amazon for $65.97.