How to Install a Pet Door on a Steel Door

If your pet is the type of animal that cannot decide whether it wants in or out, consider installing a pet door. Installing a pet door in your home gives your pets the freedom to go in or out whenever they please, even when you are not home. A pet door also relieves you of the inconvenience of being your pet's doorkeeper. A pet door can be installed into almost any door, although installation into a steel door requires some specialized tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Pet door with template
  • Electric drill
  • ½" Drill bit
  • Straight edge
  • Pencil
  • Electric metal nibbler
  • Drill bit one size larger than pet door mounting bolts
  • Adjustable wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tape the template that came with your new pet door about 4 in. from the bottom of the steel door. Make sure the template is centered and square to the bottom of the door. Trace the outline of the template onto the steel door with a pencil and remove the template.

    • 2

      Use an electric drill with a ½" drill bit and drill holes into the steel door at each corner of the pet door opening. Hold the drill so that the bit is perpendicular to the door while drilling. Make sure you drill completely through the door to the other side. Connect the holes on the other side of the steel door using a straight edge and a pencil.

    • 3

      Insert the head of an electric metal nibbler into one of the four ½" holes. Turn the machine on and cut along the pencil line, being careful not to let the machine drift outside the lines. Continue cutting all four sides of the opening. Remove the scrap piece from the opening in the steel door.

    • 4

      Using the metal nibbler cut out the opening on the other side of the steel door using the same techniques as above.

    • 5

      Attach the framework for the pet door into the opening you have cut with masking tape. Mark the framework mounting holes with a pencil. Remove the framework and masking tape from the steel door.

    • 6

      Drill through the pencil marks with an electric drill. Use a drill bit one size larger than the mounting bolts that came with the pet door. Hold the drill perpendicular to the door and make sure the holes go all the way through the door to the other side.

    • 7

      Attach both sides of the pet door framework to the steel door using the mounting bolts that came with the pet door. Push the bolts through the mounting holes of the inside pet door frame, through the holes in the steel door, and finally through the mounting holes on the outside pet door frame. Thread nuts onto the bolts by hand and finish tightening in a clockwise direction with an adjustable wrench. Follow the directions that came with the pet door to install the pet door flap.