Patio Pet Door Installation

Installing patio pet doors offers pets easy access to the outdoors without the hassle of having to let them in and out repeatedly. Even with sliding glass doors, installing a pet door is relatively easy and does not require removal of glass doors, nor major construction work. Patio pet doors come in a variety of styles and sizes to fit any size dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Patio dog door
  • Sheet metal screws (optional)
  • Screw gun
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the inside track from the top to bottom to get the appropriate height of the door you will need.

    • 2

      Figure the size of the pet flap by sliding open the patio door just wide enough for the dog to squeeze through comfortably. Measure the width needed, and add 5 inches.

    • 3

      Open the patio door as far as it will go, and check to make sure there is still enough room left for you to pass through. If the passage seems too narrow, then you will want to get a removable panel that can be taken down when you need to use the sliding door.

    • 4

      Measure the height of your pet from the top of its back at the front shoulder, and add about 2 inches. To find the clearance height, measure from the ground to the pet's chest. The clearance, or rise, should start at slightly below this height. Some doors have standard rises and cannot be adjusted.

    • 5

      Purchase the patio dog door, set it in place and check for snugness.

    • 6

      Adjust the rise of the patio dog door so the pet can easily get through. Depending on the kind of panel dog door that you purchased, fitting the door will depend on the manufacturer's directions. Follow them carefully. Some doors are spring loaded, and others require sheet-metal screws.

    • 7

      Close the sliding door, and check the lock. Some pet doors have a pin lock, because patio door locks vary from different manufacturers. Another way to lock sliding doors is to use a "Charley Bar," which is often adjustable and can be custom fit to keep the door closed.