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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Electric drill
3/8 inch drill bit to drill through the door
Drill bit to attach mounting hardware (check what hardware comes with the dog door)
Circular saw (optional)
Jigsaw
Tape measure
Level
Hand sander
Pencil
Wire cutters
SUPPLIES
Dog door
Screws and other manufacturer-approved hardware (should come with the dog door)
Caulk
Painter’s tape
It’s 6 a.m. on a frigid January morning. Your dog is persistently licking your face in order to rouse you from the warm bedding. They NEED to go out, and you’re the only one who can make that happen.
Luckily, this guide on how to install a doggie door can show you how to add a pet door to an exterior door and make life a little easier for both you and your pup.
Prepping to Install a Doggie Door
Photo: TriggerPhoto / Getty Images
Before you dive in and start cutting holes in your door, there are a few things you need to consider, the most important of which is what size doggie door you need. Start by measuring your door and your pup from the floor to their shoulders and their widest part (usually from shoulder to shoulder). You want a doggie door that’s at least 2 inches taller and 2 inches wider than your pooch to make sure they can fit through the door, and it should fit on your exterior door as well.
You should also make sure your doggie door suits your door and will fit where you need it to. You want the stepover to sit at least 3 inches tall so as not to ruin the integrity of the door. However, you should make the stepover distance no greater than 1/3 of your dog’s height. If you have multiple dogs, you need to make sure the door is tall enough for your largest dog and the stepover is short enough for your smallest dog.
You should also consider whether or not the door locks when choosing a doggie door. Locking doors increase your home’s security, especially when you’re out of the house. The type of doggie door matters, too, as flap doors are inexpensive but reduce your home’s energy efficiency, while automatic doors are better for efficiency and comfort but will drive up your installation costs.
Angi Tip
Accurate door measurements are essential for a successful installation. Height and width matter, but jamb width, door swing, and clearance are also key. A professional installer can assess these details and recommend the best solutions.
After choosing your doggy door and measuring the exterior door to make sure it fits, you can get started. Most dog doors come with a paper template that you’ll use to determine where to cut the hole.
First, place the paper template on your exterior door and use your tape measure to make sure it’s the appropriate height for your dog. Make sure the template is also at least 3 inches above the bottom of the door so as not to weaken the door itself too much.
Use a level and tape measure or ruler to make sure the template is straight and centered, then mark the door at the top and bottom of the template with a pencil.
Tape the template in place with painter’s tape.
Drill the Exterior Door
Using your electric drill and a 3/8 inch drill bit, drill a hole in each of the four corners of the template. This will make it possible to get your jigsaw blade through the door to begin the cut.
Cut Out the Dog Door Hole
Stick your jigsaw into one of the corner holes you just drilled and carefully cut along the template edge until you reach the next corner hole. It’s a good idea to clamp a level to the door, if possible, and use the straight edge of the level as a guide for the jigsaw plate to ensure a straight cut. Continue sawing from hole to hole until you’ve cut out the hole for the dog door.
Alternatively, you can use a circular saw to make plunge cuts to get perfectly straight lines. The circular blade won’t be able to cut all the way to the hole on both sides of the door, so finish the cuts at the corners with your jigsaw.
Remove the cutout, and fit the dog door inside to check that it’s flush with the door. You may need to sand any rough edges left by the saw for the dog door to lie flush. Don’t worry too much if the hole is slightly larger than your doggie door, as the trim on the doggie door will hide some excess cutout.
Drill the Holes for the Mounting Hardware
Once the dog door is flush, stick a pencil in the screw holes in the dog door frame to mark where the mounting hardware will go.
Remove the dog door and drill the holes you just marked with an appropriately sized bit. Drill all the way through the door.
Attach the Dog Door
From the outside of the house, attach the exterior frame of the dog door with screws. The exterior frame is the one without the flap. Make sure it sits flush against the door before screwing it into place using the supplied screws/fasteners.
Then, insert the interior frame of the dog door (the one with the flap) on the interior side of your door. Screw it into place with the supplied screws/fasteners.
If the fasteners are too long, you may need to trim the excess material with wire cutters.
Caulk Around the Frame to Weather-Proof It
Use a weather-proof sealant and caulk around the exterior frame. This will help prevent air and water from entering your home.
Your dog door installation is now complete! And with a little training—and lots of treats—you should be able to teach your dog how to use their new door.
DIY Vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing a doggie door is a fairly straightforward process, so DIYers with experience using power tools shouldn’t have too much trouble getting the job done. Plus, with the cost of installing a doggie door averaging around $400, you could save quite a bit of money.
However, getting the installation just right is imperative for maintaining your home’s security and avoiding water leaks and a loss of home energy efficiency. If you’re concerned about either of these issues, consider hiring a handyman service near you to get the job done the right way.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best place to install a dog door is on an exterior door that leads to a fenced-in area of your rear yard. This position will let your dog go in and out as they need and still keep them safe in your yard when they’re outside. You should plan on installing the bottom of the doggie door a minimum of 3 inches above the bottom of your exterior door to maintain the structural integrity of the door, and never cut out a hole within 3 inches of exterior door glass.
If you’re not keen on using a traditional doggie door, there are some alternatives. One popular option is a solid, insulated door that you can lock when you’re out of the home for added security. You can also opt for a doggie screen, which you can lift and lower to allow your pooch access to the outdoors. These are a bit more convenient to use than a regular exterior door, although security could be an issue. You can also install a screen door with a small opening for your pup to prevent bugs from coming inside as your dog exits.
The easiest dog door to install is the traditional doggie door that consists of flaps. You’ll still need to cut out a hole in your exterior door, but you don’t need to worry too much about the frame of the dog door being perfectly level and plumb. You also don’t need to plan much for this type of doggie door, as there are no solid, moving parts that could interfere with furniture or decor in your home or just outside the door.
Dan is a writer and property manager and can be found sharing his home improvement tips on sites like EcoWatch and Today’s Homeowner. He loves sharing his years of hands-on experience and love of DIY to help homeowners bring their visions to life.
Dan is a writer and property manager and can be found sharing his home improvement tips on sites like EcoWatch and Today’s Homeowner. He loves sharing his years of hands-on experience and love of DIY to help homeowners bring their visions to life.
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