Best Sliding Glass Door Track System?

[Drdan]

I'm building a high end 39" X 22" X 19" teak terrarium with 1/4" sliding glass doors, and want to know which is the best track system to use. I know that plastic, aluminum, wood, and EZ Glide systems are available, but whcih is the very best to use? The glass would be "rounded and polished" so as to slide easier... Here are the three basic systems available:

http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=127

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2275

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5237&tagem=rv

I like the wood tracks, since they would require a bit of force to open, which would not necessitate the use of a ratchet type lock. I also like the high tech of the EZ Track system, but would they too easy to open if I forgot to lock the terrarium?


Thanks!

Dan

 

[ComoxCorn]

I think 1/4" glass would require more force than you think to open. My opinion is wood tracks are a pain in the butt because humidity alone can cause slight swelling and make openning the glass more difficult. JMO

 

[wade]

I agree I don’t like the wood tracks. The aluminum EZ tracks are way cool for trophy cases but with snakes, your going to get wood shavings in the ball bearings and will have problems with that.

I have used the plastic tracks on several display cases and they are the best for that application in my opinion. They are cheap, easy to work with and slide relatively easily.

I would use the ratchet type locks regardless. I’m sitting here right now watching a snake rub his nose sideways across the glass. Given time, he would move it enough to get a nose along an edge. Then he is out of here baby.

 

[Drdan]

Thanks for the replies... Humidity would probably interfere with the doors' smooth sliding if wood were used, so I'll forget about using it. Would aluminum be better than plastic as far as durability? http://www.cabinetware.com/CatalogList.asp?catcode=TRAL&catdes=Aluminum+Track

And yeah, best to keep the doors locked to prevent escapes!

Dan

 

[Hypancistrus]

I would use the ratchet type locks regardless. I’m sitting here right now watching a snake rub his nose sideways across the glass. Given time, he would move it enough to get a nose along an edge. Then he is out of here baby.

Don't know what it's like in Italy with regards to herp keeping, but here in the USA we can't afford ANY escapes... so I agree with Wade, go with the locks no matter what. Our cages have the plastic style tracks, no ball bearings to clog with wood.

Also, very cute dog in your avatar!

 

[Drdan]

Thanks...

I'll stay away from the ball bearing rollers on the tracks. I was wondering however, if aluminum tracks would be better than the plastic ones. I have some links for the aluminum ones, and they look very similar in construction. The aluminum ones would probably be more durable, and are also offered in different colors (anodized) like the plastic ones.

Dan