Dog door cutout for steel insulated door
grandchat
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hello,
Just got a puppy – chocolate lab. It will probably be around 65 lbs based on it’s parents. I wanted to install a dog door in my Jeldwen steel slab exterior door and I am looking for suggestions.
I was going to drill a hole in the 4 corners, then use my jig saw w/ a steel blade to cut out the hole. Any issues with this approach?
I know I can actually do this, but should I? Do I need to reinforce the door or something like that since I would imagine I can’t fasten the door to the “insulating” product inside the door? Does anyone have any suggestions on the kinds to use (non-electronic). Thanks again for your help!
Replies
go for it just like you suggest...
doggie in doors is done all the time by cutting the hole and driving on....
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I've done quite a few just like you described. A panel door is a LOT easier than a crossbuck style.
My last one I went and made a frame like a split jamb door , trim inside and out,and used a clear plastic car floor mat for the flapper. I used a rare earth magnet on the "jamb" at the sill. I used a folded strip of copper on the bottom of the flap as a stiffener and riveted a washer that just clears the magnet.
I then made a plywood flap with weather stripping on the inside hinged at the top, it can be flipped up and a magnet stuck to the door ( just below the glass area) engages with another washer screwed to the plywood. That way I can close and open the dog/cat door to lock them inside or seal from the windy nights.
Like a dog house project, first measure the dog. I originally made it for cats, but my last dog decided he was going out too,and ripped it right outta the door, he was headed across the yard with it around his neck, like a collar...ooops..LOL
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A jigsaw will create a very rough cut in that thin steel. If you have the option, I would try to use a metal cutting wheel in a grinder or for your circular saw.
If a jigsaw is your only choice, use a fine metal cutting blade and don't let the blade chatter too much.
Good call, I should of pointed out I cleaned up and tweaked my cuts with snips. The sparks from a cut off wheel will ruin the paint on the door , in my exp.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Thats what I used.
My client wanted the cat door to go through the old milks chute.
Worked great.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I put a doggy door in the side entrace door to my garage. I was worried about resale, so I just bought a relatively cheap metal door, fit the doggy door into that, and took the original door off the hinges and hung the new one in place. When we went to sell the house, I just pulled the hinge pins and switched the doors back.
If door leads directly into your house, think about security before you start the project. How are you going to keep undesirable animals or people out? Even if people can't fit their bodies thru, can they reach thru far enough to get to the handle/deadbolt?
About the doggy door:
- You need to pick the right size hole and install it at the correct height as well.
- If you buy a commerical doggy door, as opposed to building your own, I think most of them use thru bolts in holes drilled thru the door that are outside of the hole that you cut.
- I had some chatter when I was cutting; follow other people's suggestions to use a fine blade or a cutter to avoid rough edges.
Since we have glass French doors ... I put our doggy door right through the wall. You can cut a hole and slip framing in and secure it to the drywall, etc. I used a standard dog door I bought even though it was for a thin door application, still used the frame and all to get the result I wanted.
I used a jigsaw with a fine-toothed metal blade. I worked OK, and any roughness was covered by the trim flange of the doggie door.
If you haven't bought the DD yet, don't buy a cheap one. The cheap ones don't seal well = drafts and energy loss. Try to get one that seals well; it's worth it.
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
If you buy a commercially made one with panel that a slides down from the top to secure it, don't put it on the side of the door where the knob is. It doesn't flex enough to clear the knob - not that I have personal experience with that :-)
Eric
DO NOT use a metal cutting wheel in a grinder or circular saw. The sparks are gonna ruin your day.DO use a jig saw with a metal cutting blade. I cut one last week. The hole for the cat door had to be round. Made a pattern. Transfered to door. Drilled a pilot hole for saw blade. And just cut it out.Very easy using the jig saw method.
Don't use a recipricating saw either. It tends to pull the metal skin away from the insulation in the door.
I put in one of HD's dog doors and it had the thru bolts in the corners which worked well once I hogged out the holes so that the frames lined up. Definitely take your time cutting and drilling. It pays off in the end.
grandchat,
It might seem too obvious to mention, but make sure your blade isn't too long and won't touch the second panel when you are cutting the first.
Ron
I must be confused (not surprising). Wouldn't it be better if I had a longer blade for the jig saw so it cuts through both panels at the same time? Are you suggesting to cut each panel out independently? Could the concern here be that the jig saw blade may "wander" if it's going through both panels and no cut straight / clean? Or possible it's just to hard on the blade to cut through both? Thanks again.
That's what I did... cut clear through the door with one longish hacksaw blade in the jigsaw. It was a foam core steel door; no big deal. The whole process took less than an hour from door removal, measure and mark, cut, clean up, install the Doggie Door, rehang...Good luck,Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
grandchat,
I was thinking that one panel at a time would be best, but then, I own a #### jigsaw.
It worked for Scott. Go for it.
Ron
Cut hundreds of hollow metal doors for windows, pass through's etc. Trick is to cut short the fine tooth metal cutting blades and cut one side first then cut the other' Using a longer blade to cut through two 'skins' will cause the blade to wander and make a scalloped cut. ( Also, dull the blade faster)If your saw has two or more speeds, use lower speed to keep down heat buildup. Steinmetz.
I have had dogs for years. The dog door can be a source of cold drafts in the winter. Last year I installed an electric door that works off a censor attached to the collar. Go to http://www.hitecpet.com . The door bottom will be set not to the ground but just shy to the top of the dogs legs.
That'll keep the stray cats and racoons out too.
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I do this every time I move. I found that a short blade on a quality jigsaw works best. I get excellent performance from my Bosch. Drill the holes no larger than the blade. Work slowly and do each side separately. Put the door on a couple of sawhorses so you can be precise. Try not to mangle the foam.
I like PetSafe doors. They seal well, install easily, and best of all, you can buy replacement flaps after a couple of years of use. The metal fram is durable and the security door works well. I think they even have some special doors that will only open for your dog, as opposed to other critters.
Just another thought, you don't have to go through the door. My exterior doors were VERY expensive and the thought of cutting a hole in one to accomodate the pooch was a tough decision. I cut my opening in the wall next to the back door between the studs and finished off the edges like a window frame. Installed the doggie door and my beautiful doors were saved. Now when it's time to sell and move, I just strip off the trim and patch the drywall and exterior stucco, no need to replace a door.
That's a good idea, and is exactly what we did on our level. The Doggie Door I installed was in our basement suite.You're right... cutting drywall, insulation, sheathing and siding is no big deal, and if it saves a beautiful $1K+ entry door then it's well worth it. In our case it also sends the animals directly into "their room", a different space from the main entry.Mind you, we're still in the 'new construction' phase, so trimming and flashing the pet door before siding was easy. I suppose retro-fitting might be a bit more work.Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”