Overview of Hybrid Cage Materials | Custom Cages

Any front door, back, side, top, or bottom can be made out of:

The standard Hybrid cage materials will vary, depending on the setup you choose (see center insert for standard configurations). These panels are all interchangeable and can be switched or replaced at any time without having to purchase a new cage.

Below is a detailed overview of our cage materials, starting with the anodized aluminum frame.

Anodized Aluminum Frame

Made from extruded aluminum that is hardened and anodized black, this is the standard for all our cage frames. Anodized aluminum frames are strong, long-lasting, and will never rust or corrode. The anodized finish also adds significant durability to the frame, making it difficult to scratch and great for outdoor use.


Thermofused Laminate Panels

We have a selection of 4 different wood grains and 2 granite colors. The surface, front, and back of the panels are very hard, durable, washable, and non-porous (similar to a kitchen countertop).

This makes any surface of the cage resistant to harboring bacteria, odor, and waste. Plus, the vinyl we use is much stronger than the typical panels you find in a catalog or department store.

We recommended sealing the edges of any laminate panel with silicone frame sealant (Find at any hardware store). This will prevent the edges of the panels from swelling due to moisture. It’s easy to seal the edges of our panels because the aluminum completely surrounds the edges, creating a spot out of sight to apply a bead of silicone.

If you’re uncomfortable with sealing the edges among excessive moisture, we recommend getting a moisture-proof panel substitution, which you’ll find in the following sections.

Below is our collection of panel colors. Black granite is the standard, but you may substitute any color at no additional charge. Also, you can have a custom background laminated to your back panel for a personalized look.

Cage Material Comparison
Aluminum surrounds the edges with plenty of room for sealant inside the frame (if desired) to prevent warping or swelling with extreme moisture.
Cambridge Cherry
Cambridge Cherry
English Oak
English Oak
Golden Oak
Golden Oak
Prestige Maple
Prestige Maple
Black Granite
Black Granite
Natural Granite
Natural Granite

Aluminum Laminate Panels

Any panel of your enclosure can have aluminum laminate panels substituted for the standard laminate cage material. These panels have black-coated aluminum on both sides with a PVC or ABS core.

Aluminum laminate panels hold up extremely well in wet conditions, they’re scratch-resistant, lightweight, and very sturdy (stronger and lighter than our thermofused laminate panels).

We recommend using aluminum laminate whenever your cage is being used outdoors or in high moisture circumstances. The thermofused laminate comes in a variety of colors, is much less expensive (reduces the price of the cage), and is ideal for most circumstances, so we make laminate our standard option and offer the aluminum laminate panel as an upgrade at an additional charge.

These panels are available in black only, see center insert for substitution pricing.

Aluminum Laminate Cage Material Diagram

Acrylic Panels

  • Any panel of our cages either comes standard with or has the option of clear acrylic as a material.
  • One of the hardest forms of clear plastic available, hard to scratch or gouge.
  • Excellent UV properties – Very clear and won’t yellow except in the most extreme circumstances (takes about 10 years of direct sunlight to start to yellow).
  • 5 times stronger than glass and is extremely hard to break with side impact. In tests, a 14” x 20” tightly clamped piece of acrylic (and the same thickness we use) can withstand a 45mph fastball without breaking. Our cages can withstand a great deal more because the panels are larger and the edges are not tightly clamped.
  • We don’t drill any holes in the panels for fastening. Rather, all panels slide snugly into grooves in the framework of the enclosures. Drilled holes leave vulnerable spots for cracking and breaking. With our design, it’s nearly impossible for large birds, reptiles, or small animals to break out.

Glass Panels

  • We prefer acrylic because it weighs much less and is 5 times stronger and safer, but glass can usually be used in place of any panel. However, we do not supply the glass because of the risk of damage in transit. Instead, we’ll subtract the price of the standard panel from the cost of your cage and you will have to get glass panels cut locally.
  • We’ll give you the dimensions for your glass panels when you order so you have them done by the time your cage gets to you. Local glass dealers typically have custom pieces cut within 1-2 days, however, we recommend talking with one of our sales associates before choosing a glass option.

Stainless Steel Wire – Great for Climbing!

  • Crimp-locked stainless steel wire – Stronger than carbon or standard steel, rust-proof, no toxic coatings.
  • Each panel comes standard with or has the option of stainless steel wire as a material.
  • We are extremely confident that even strong birds will NOT chew through it. Most cages have welds that create a soft point at the joint of the steel. We commonly have bird owners call us to buy a cage because their bird broke the welds in their current cage. This can’t happen with our cage materials. Also, most cages with a welded construction use a secondary coat to hide the welds because the welding process leaves burn marks.
  • The standard opening size for an H3 cage is 1” x 1”. This is the most common size required for birds, reptiles, and small animals. For an H2 cage, the standard opening side is 3/4” x 3/4”. We also have 1 1/2” x 1 1/2”, 1/2” x 1/2”, and heavy duty 1” x 1” openings. The wider the opening, the heavier the gauge wire. The smaller openings can be used for applications where you don’t want crickets, smaller birds, or reptiles to escape.
1.5x1.5 Stainless Steel Wire Cage Material

1.5 x 1.5 x 0.162″

Stainless Steel Wire Cage Material

1 x 1 x 0.162″

1x1 Stainless Steel Wire cage material

1 x 1 x 0.120″

0.75x0.75 Stainless Steel Wire cage material

0.75 x 0.75 x 0.092″

0.5x0.5 Stainless Steel Wire cage material

0.5 x 0.5 x 0.092″

Stainless Steel Wire Mesh is available in the following sizes:

  • ½” x ½” x .092” Stainless Steel Wire
  • ¾” x ¾” x .092” Stainless Steel Wire
  • 1” x 1” x .120” Stainless Steel Wire
  • 1” x 1” x .162” Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Wire (Cockatoo, Greenwing, Hyacinth, etc…)
  • 1-1/2” x 1-1/2” x .162” Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Wire (Cockatoo, Greenwing, Hyacinth, etc…)

Perforated Aluminum

  • Perfect when you want lighting and heating elements to sit on top of the cage and out of reach of the animal.
  • Allows for ample ventilation where airflow is desired. Round staggered holes also help diffuse the light so you are not looking directly at the bright lighting fixtures from outside the cage.
  • Aluminum material will not rust and will last very long in virtually any environment.
  • Openings are 3/16″ in diameter and spaced 1/4″ apart, with approximately 51% open space; small enough for crickets to not get through but large enough to allow sufficient light, heat, and airflow to enter the cage.
Perforated Aluminum cage material
Perforated Aluminum