One of homeowner Tia Pedrett's requests for a re-modeled garage is a new doggie door for their dog, Bear. A doggie door is a simple afternoon project, and a quality door will help keep the cold out in winter.Tools and materials:
doggie door (available from pet supply stores and home centers)
measuring tape
drill
skill saw
screwdriver
Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when working with power tools.
Installing a Doggie Door
Tip: Big dogs need big doors. Measure the shoulder-height of your pooch and make sure to choose a doggie door that's big enough to accommodate your dog.
Steps:
- Remove your door from its hinges. This is usually a two-person job (figure A).
- Consider the height of your pet and the height of the door and mark on the door where the doggie door will be placed.
- Drill holes in the 4 corners of the door (figure B) and cut out the door using a hand-held circular saw.
- Dry fit the doggie door to your cut hole (figure C).
- Raised panel doors may require fill pieces to support the door (figure D).
- Screw the front side and the backside of the doggie door together (figure E).
- Reattach the big door on its hinges.
- Once the door has been installed, it's time for the final test. Have your dog do a test run. He should comfortably fit through the door (figure F).
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2008/01/16/dseq202_2fa_door01_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2008/01/16/dseq202_2fb_drill03_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2008/01/16/dseq202_2fc_dryfit05_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2008/01/16/dseq202_2fd_fill06_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2008/01/16/dseq202_2fe_screw07_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2008/01/16/dseq202_2ff_test09_e.jpg",350,450))
