Making a Dog Door

If your dog constantly nags you to open and close the door to the backyard, a dog door might make your life easier and the dog happier. There are many dog doors available on the market, but if you are a do-it-yourselfer, making one yourself would be more satisfying. It also usually works out to be cheaper, especially if you already have the tools and you're already handy around the house.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Ruler or measuring tape
  • Drill
  • Jigsaw
  • 4 lengths of clear anodized aluminum U-section
  • Liquid nails
  • Perspex
  • 2 butt hinges
  • Nuts
  • Bolts
  • Washers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure across your dog's shoulders and add at least 1 inch to determine the width of your dog door. Measure from the floor to the top of the dog's shoulders and add at least 1 inch to determine the height of the top of the dog door relative to the floor. Measure from the floor to the bottom of the dog's chest and subtract at least one inch to get the height of the bottom of the dog door from the floor.

    • 2

      Mark the measurements on the door and cut out the hole using a jigsaw.

    • 3

      Cut the aluminum U-section pieces to fit the edges of the hole, and use liquid nails to fit them onto the edges of the hole, creating a frame.

    • 4

      Place the hinges on the top edge of the Perspex piece to mark the screw positions. Remove the hinges from the Perspex and drill the holes.

    • 5

      Use nuts, bolts and washers to attach the hinges to the Perspex, then screw the hinges to the top of the frame.