A quick guide on how to install a pet door

Want to offer your pets the freedom to come in and out of the house as needed? Consider setting up a pet flap! These pet doors come in a variety of materials and sizes and can be put on different surfaces, so you can install a pet door in glass or even have a patio pet door.

Ready to take on a weekend project for your furry companions? Learn how to install a pet door in our step-by-step guide!

What do I need to install a pet door?

Before you place the pet door, prepare the following tools and materials:

• A pet door kit

• Hammer

• Saw

• Drill

• Screwdriver

• Sandpaper or file

• Pencil

• Safety glasses and a dust mask

• Pliers or shears

• Measuring tape

• Saw horse

Pet door installation tips and completion time

When choosing a pet door, consider the price, sizes, and number of your pets. For example, if you have two pets of different sizes, it’s best to go with a door that suits the bigger pet but is easy enough to come through for the smaller one. 

Also, consider the climate that you live in. This will be a crucial factor when deciding the material of the pet door you’re getting. Depending on where you live, you’ll need to pick a pet door that can withstand rain or snow, and extreme temperatures. The installation can take an hour to two hours, on average.  

Step-by-step guide to pet door installation

Step 1: Measure your pet

Pet doors come in different sizes and price points. Measuring your pet will help you find the right-sized door so that they can come in and out of your home easily.

To measure your furry friend, take out a measuring tape and measure its height and width. Give a 2-inch allowance for the measurements to allow for mobility. If you have more than two furry friends of different heights, measure the larger one for size!

Step 2: Remove the door

Removing the door where you intend to install the pet door will be easier because you’ll get to install the pet door as precisely as possible. It’ll also save your back by allowing you to work on the flap in a comfortable position.

Using a hammer and screwdriver, remove the hinge pins from your door. Lay the door across two sawhorses, with the interior side facing up. 

Step 3: Mark where the pet door goes

Use your pet’s measurements to draw and measure the template. Place the template in your desired position on the door. Ensure that the template is level, with the lowest cutting mark at least three inches above the bottom edge of the door. If your pet door kit doesn’t come with a template, you can use the pet door frame as a guide to mark outside the frame. 

Once you’re good with the placement, tape the template and draw around the frame. You can leave marks where you intend to drill holes in. 

Step 4: Start drilling

Use a drill to puncture a hole at each of the corners of the template marking. If you’re installing a pet door in a metal door, use a drill bit specifically used for the material.

When handling tools like drills and saws, make sure to put on proper safety gear! 

Step 5: Cut out and smooth the edges 

Insert the blade of the saw into one of the drilled corners. Then, carefully cut along the template or mark between each corner. Check if you have a compatible blade for the material you’re cutting. For instance, if the pet door is to be installed on a steel door, use a metal cutting blade. Finally, use sandpaper or a file to smooth out any rough edges on the hole. 

Step 6: Test the pet door

Insert the interior frame of the pet door to check the fit. Test the fit by opening and closing the door and inspecting if the screws are tight. You can also have your furry friend go in and out of the door to see if the height is right for them. Then, make any adjustments as needed.

Step 7: Secure it in place

Once you’re happy with the adjustments, you can start mounting in the pet door and do the following steps:

• Remove the interior frame and drill the holes for the mounting hardware following the manufacturer’s recommended bit size. 

• Make sure the hardware lines up with both sides of the frame by drilling holes perpendicular to the door.

• After this, you can replace the interior frame. Depending on the door thickness, you may need to trim the core frames with pliers or cutters for a snug fit. 

• Hold the frame pieces together and place the fasteners. 

• For an airtight seal, use a weather-proof sealant to caulk around the exterior frame.

If you’re not 100% confident about DIY-ing this project, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a handyman to do the task. 

The paw-fect gift for your companion! 

Pet doors are a practical way to allow your pets access to different places in your home. Installing a pet door can help your furry friends do their business or play and run around as they please. If you happen to have chickens for pets, that's another story.

Whether you have no time to install the pet door yourself or you need a pro’s help with its placement, you can find a pet door installer through Airtasker for this project!