Joel Schmarje and a guest explain how to install a pet door that allows easy access for your pet. The demonstration covers how to install a pet door in both wood and metal exterior doors.
Installing a Pet Door
Getting in and out of the house is easy for us. It's just a matter of finding the right key, however, if you're a pet owner, the real key to convenience is installing a pet door. These entry ways are not only convenient for you, the owner, but for your pet as well because they allow man's best friend or feline to come and go as they please without having to bother you to open the door for them.
Step 1 - Measure your pet.
Before you do anything, you'll need to measure your pet to make sure the door you purchase is the right size. The opening width should be a little wider than the widest part of your pet while the height should be a couple of inches above the top of the shoulders and below the chest just behind the front legs. Most pet doors are categorized in size by the weight and shoulder height of the pet. Remember to keep in mind how big your pet will be when they're fully grown. If you don't, you could end up buying a bigger door sooner than you think.
Step 2 - Test your measurements.
To test your measurements, wedge open a door to the opening width then block off the opening at the correct height. Since your pet will naturally duck their heads when they step through the opening, you'll want to set the top of the opening just above your pet's shoulders. Now call your pet through the opening. If it's a fit, then it's time to choose a door.
Step 3 - Pick a door.
Finding the size to fit your pet is the easy part. Picking a model is a different story. You're basically limited by the amount of money you want to spend since prices range from $20.00 for a run-of-the-mill plastic model to a $500.00 top-of-the-line electronic door. There are even models available that work with glass sliding patio doors! Whatever you purchase, it will probably have a template to follow for cutting out the opening and drilling in the door.
Here's what you'll need from the tool box:
- Jigsaw
- Drill
- Assorted sizes of drill bits
- Philips head
- Level
Installing the door
- Use your level, and tape the template on the door.
- Take a nail and hammer and make indents in the door at the crosshairs on the template. These marks should indicate where the frame screws will go as well as the four corners of the pet door frame.
- After removing the template, use a straight edge to connect the four corners with a pencil so you'll know where to cut.
- Use a 1/2 inch drill bit to drill through the door at the four corners.
- Cut along the lines with a jigsaw using a wood blade. It works best if you cut the bottom first, the two sides next, then finish with the top.
- At the points you marked for the frame screws, drill holes through the door. If you are installing on a panel door, you might have to build up the recessed area with shims to make the surface flush for the pet door frame.
- Set the door in place and screw the interior and exterior side frames together.
- Drive screws through the interior and exterior top frames to complete.
- Now all that's left is to teach your pet how to get through the door and what better way to coax them through than with their favorite snack. Depending on your pet, it could take anywhere from two minutes to two days for them to learn how to use the door.
Resources pet door
Pet Doors U.S.A. Inc.
4523 30th St.West #E502
Bradenton, FL 34207-1072
Phone: 941-758-1951
Toll-free: 800-749-9609
Fax: 800-283-8045
E-mail:
sales@petdoorsusa.com
Website:
www.petdoorsusa.com
Guests Joseph Ambrose
President, Pet Doors U.S.A., Inc.
4523 30th St.West #E502
Bradenton, FL 34207-1072
Phone: 941-758-1951
Toll-free: 800-749-9609
Fax: 800-283-8045
E-mail:
sales@petdoorsusa.com
Website:
www.petdoorsusa.com
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