I’m glad I found this! Hubby and i need to make a sliding door insert because the pit mix likes to wake me up around midnight to go poop outside. I need my sleep! But the other DIY video i watched used plexiglass as the door and that just won’t work for us. The 6 pound dog needs to be able to get in and out as well, and a large plexiglass door will be too heavy. But this is perfect and we already have floor runners just hanging out in the garage!!!
Oh wow, I'm just seeing this... I'm so happy you were able to understand my fevered scratchings and make your own... It looks great, so solid and tight! I'll add a link to your video on my page about making mine.
genius - thanks - with four large dogs it has been a season destruction of screen doors - going to build something like this - the double flap is perfect
I loved this design so much that I made one for my dogs. Unfortunately my St. Bernard ran through it too fast and the inner flap pushed through the outer flap and he ended up tearing the outer flap off and wore it as a necklace for a little while. Now I just have a strip down each side as an outer edge seal. Works well
Michael van Meurs oh my goodness that's funny!!! You can try plexiglass for a little more durability, lol. Oh I wish you would have taken a picture of that!
I still find it weird that PetSafe discontinued their double flap pet doors. They worked great. I think you should modify and market this. Pride makes a similar door, but only goes up to a large (100lbs). Your system could be popular with people with larger dogs. Just a suggestion.
I love this I needed to make something for my dogs to go out my window since I have no doors to the back yard. I've watched a few videos and all in all using your flaps I finely made one. I'm just hoping my magnets are strong enough to close back together. I may have to change them to stronger ones later on not sure yet
jessica sterling due to weather, between extreme hot and cold, I ended up using heavy duty Staples and stapled the magnets to the flap. It didn't seem to hinder the closing at all.
How much wind are you talking it will hold out? Our door is on the North side and we get strong N NW wind. 40mph isn't uncommon. Do you think this would stay closed?
Love it. Just lost my 10 yr old pit in the winter and not sure if it was the cold for sure but have bought almost all the material needed for this i think. Is the plastic all one piece at the top where its mounted? Is it just cut up to the mount on sides to top? No hinge or mount brackets?
The plastic flap is under that strip of wood, it goes almost all the way up to the top of that strip and then I screwed it through that strip of wood, through the plastic flaps, and then through the main part of the wood frame. I didn't use any hinges on this one.
I used contact cement to attach the magnets to the vinyl runner flap, but then eventually also added some heavy duty staples and stapled the magnets to the flap as well since the edges eventually came apart.
I actually made a dog door flap but it was nothing like this with no magnets! Whoever came up with the outside flap is a genius! Where'd you buy the magnets?
Hi Crystal. Great job on this door! Do you happen to remember the name brand of the magnet strips that you used. I've bought some in the past for different projects, and I've found the quality can vary greatly. The ones you used seem to work well. If you have an Amazon link that would be awesome.
Unfortunately I don't remember the brand name, they were just from Home Depot or Lowe's. They didn't work all that well on the vinyl runners because the door faced the south and got hit with the sun a lot. They did very well on the plexiglass though. On the vinyl runner, I ended up using big staples to tack it back to the runner and that worked out for us.
Hello! I tried making this over the weekend, I had problems getting magnets to stick, I first used some cement that didn’t hold so I tried riveting but they pulled out. I saw you used a stapler? What stapler did you use that would go through metal?
🤔, I'm not sure what metal you're stapling, but the one I used is a normal stapler for paper but was meant to staple like 40-80 pages, so it's not your typical desk stapler.
glen trs Home Depot and Lowes should carry it. I believe if you look in the replies of some of the comments, I think I posted links but I can't remember for sure.
Thanks for sharing this. How does it hold up to washing? Do the magnest stay put? If yours hold up to being cleaned with cleaners, could you share the sources/brands for the magnets and flap material? I woiuld appreciate it. My disabled dog needs a specialized flap so we nay do one like this rather than try to buy one. Thanks again.
Hmm, I can't say I've ever washed it before, so I wouldn't know. As for the magnets, the contact cement worked for a while, but after going through Montana winters, it started to pull away. At that point, I just stapled the magnets to the flap and haven't had an issue with them since.
This one is is made out of vinyl floor runner, I just shaved off the spikes and glued two layers together. For this flap, there are two sections, the inner flap and the outer flap. The two overlap each other a half inch on each side and the bottom to create the tight seal. Unfortunately, you will have wasted material when you cut out the frame for the outer flap since you can't use the cut off section because there won't be any overlap. Currently, I gave replaced the inner vinyl flap with plexiglass from Lowes. I kept the outer flap vinyl since it will be constantly hitting the plywood and I didn't know if the plexiglass will hold up to that beating.
Kristina Haley I used a 12" hinge (m.lowes.com/pd/Gatehouse-1-1-2-in-x-12-in-Stainless-Steel-Cabinet-Hinge/3356244) to attach the inner flap. One side of the hinge is screwed into the wood that'd the inner top of the door opening. I then predrilled holes in the plexiglass and attached the hinge to the plexiglass using bolts and nuts. I would recommend putting some very duct take on the edge that you're going to put the hinge on before predrilling the holes. The plexiglass is fragile at the top. I managed to snap off a section my first time putting on the hinge. So, duct tape (the more the better), predrill the holes for the hinges, attach using tiny bolts and nuts. I don't know what size dog you have, but if they are big, I recommend duct taping most of the plexiglass. The door I have is 3' tall. The plexiglass is flexible but to a point, so mine snapped because the dogs like to play in the door opening, however, duct tape saved the day and it still works great!
Im wanting to put it on outer side of wood dog house. Im thinking i can take a metal bracket and mount to top outside of house door opening with the vinyl between bracket and wood. Whats your take on this?
the only thing with mounting it with brackets is that the vinyl might ripe over time. I did use the same concept but instead of using the vinyl runners, I used plexi glass from Lowes. It was still flexible to a certain degree, but I was able to predrill holes into the plexi and use nuts and bolts to attach it through a hinge and then screw the hinge into the door. You'll want to somehow beef up the top where the hinge is at though because that'll eventually break at spots if the dog constantly walks out at an angle.
Using vinyl like your vid but instead of a wood board pinching it as mounted, a flat piece of metal. I understsnd the board is more broad so wont crease as bad on the vinyl. Like your vid also
Unfortunately I just tossed this a couple months ago. But the vinyl has a solid 4"-6" sandwiched between the plywood door and the screwed in plywood piece. The piece is the width of the door and about 7" tall. You can see the piece I'm talking about in the video with all the screws.
not really... the weights of the magnets keeps it weighed down. The only issue I have is the outer flap, the corners are a weak spot since that's where all the magnets meet so with all the twisting of the flap, the magnets eventually pull apart, but at that time, I just staple the magnets back onto the flap and hammer down anything pokey.
Hi Crystal... I have started making this door flap and wondering if you had the same problem I'm having.with the magnet adhesive. It doesn't stay glued down very well to the vinyl. Did you add an adhesive to the magnet strip to reinforce it to the vinyl?
Yes! The contact cement worked perfectly. I was able to get it up quickly and it works great for my 3 dogs. Thank you so much for the video and your help!
+Aurora Guerrero I also stapled the magnetic strip to the flap. After months of summer, the strips started to peel away at the corners. So I stapled, hammered them in so no pokey things are sticking out, then wrapped duct tape along the edges where the staples are but obviously don't cover the magnetic strip with the duct tape.
It’s just carpet vinyl runner, you know those plastic runners with tiny spikes on one side? I just cut off the spikes and clued two pieces together to make the flap. You can also get a piece of plexiglass cut, that works great too.
I did my own "flap" using plywood, but my dog has little interest opening that. I used springs to make it self locking, and wardrobe door magnets to keep it locked. However my dog is a rottweiler, he is not interested in opening, however, he knows how to open closed doors... I guess I have to use something less heavy
@ Crystal Reimche Well, looking from a little bit different point of view, it's been two weeks :D ,I think there are two factors "telling" him not to open it, 1). He is a bit timid and couch potato. I've been very depressive last months/years and the dog got some of it, 2). Yes, the swing scares him or at least, discourages, 3). I've tried raw meat, so ... In conclusion ... the dog needs more adrenalline and encouragement, he probably is going to learn the way once I pull the right trigger. And we're working hard. Thanks for your curiosity.
Unfortunately I have no need to make this door again but if you go to the link in the description, it'll take you to the website of the man who wrote out the instructions
That is genius! My dog door flap is so warped. The cold just pours in the warped flap and so does hot air. I can order a new one but it'll do the same soon. I love love this idea. Question: Are you ever concerned a person could go through that door? I'm a nervous Nellie😬 I would like to install a wider door for our short English Bulldog but I'm concerned that a person will be able to get in through it.
grateful1929 I'm not so worried about someone coming in. We have 3 Great Danes, I'd like to think that someone would know for a large hole like that, there must be something large enough to go through it! 😂 however, you can put a little plywood cutout and some brackets on the inside of our house. You can slide the plywood in and no one can go through the door. You can also put a dog house in front of door so no one knows there's a door going into your house. That only works if you're doggie door isn't in the sliding glass door but more through your wall of the house. Check out this site and you'll see what I'm talking about. www.halepetdoor.com/products/57-peaked-roof-security-barrier.html
When it was in use, the magnets held nicely during windy days. You can always use a wider magnet strip for a stronger hold but make sure your pet can still push through and break that seal.
+1 on cleverness (to O.P. and prop's to this redeux): 'Question; were the cost of the strip magnets prohibitively expensive? While replacement doors are costly - $30 to $??? - were the mag's cheap enough to warrant the DIY? THX!!
Paul Smith I needed a custom door. First one needed to fit 3 Great Danes. Then I needed one to fit the Danes as well as a Chihuahua. I couldn't find any manufacturer that would accommodate this. So I guess this is just a nice alternative for those that have no other options.
Hi Crystal, how you hold the flap on the top? My doggy door came with a rod but I think if I use the vinyl will be difficult to wrap around the rod. I'm using double vinyl with magnets in the borders between them.
If you pause the video at the very beginning, you'll see a piece of wood right above the top of the flap. There's a good 3" of vinyl under that piece of board that has been screwed into the wood frame. So it's like a sandwich, you have the whole wood frame, then the extra 3" vinyl flaps, and then the piece of wood that is screwed through the 3" vinyl and into the whole wood frame. Does that make sense?
I don't get it. I couldn't see 2 flaps. When you said "the other flap". . . . . . I didn't see any second flap. I could only see one. I don't understand why you would need 2 flaps anyway??
Stephen OConner I got all the materials from Lowes/Home Depot. The flap material is in the carpet area, it's just a vinyl runner. If you're looking to make the flap out of plexiglass, they have that as well, I just can't remember which section of the store, maybe by the keys
Thank you very much for your very fast reply. I am a disabled Vet starting a Dog Boarding Biz. I love dogs and I figure this is something I can actually do. I have 8 doors I need to make... LOL... And I did not want to spend the money that companies want for dog doors. Your video is by far the best one out there and the easiest to duplicate. Thanks again for the info.....
Our two cats used it all the time. It just depends on how strong your cat is and how strong the magnets are. They used the corner to push out. If you were to make one, try to get a magnet strip that is maybe 1/4" - 1/2" wide.
The carpet vinyl runner from Lowe's or Home Depot. It has those little spikes that keep it from moving on the carpet. They come on a roll and it gets cut to the length you want. I used an exacto knife and sliced off all the spikes. Then put two vinyl runners together (spike side facing each other) with contact cement to adhere both sides to each other.
Great project! I'm currently finishing up one of this myself . I saw in one of the comments that you live in Montana. I live down south where weather reaches up to 125F sometimes. What did you use to glue the two vinyl sheets together and do you think that'll hold up to the desert sun?
I did contact cement to glue the sheets together. I didn't have any issues with them wanting to separate even when the sun was directly on the door during summer but still, it only goes up to 80-90 degrees for a few weeks. The only thing I think would happen is the flap would be very pliable but I don't see that causing any issues with closing on the magnets.
@@Weimaraner03 Thanks Crystal. I've been using contact cement to glue the magnets to the flaps then finishing off the corners with staples as you suggested. I'm using regular staples so I'll see how that holds up. However, the cement turns yellow after it sets so I'll probably have to go find one that cures clear. Thanks for your help.
@@Weimaraner03 I'm testing silicone and a caulk adhesive. Glued two scraps of vinyl together with each glue. Gonna leave it overnight and see how it does tomorrow. We're supposed to reach 114F so we'll see.
This is just vinyl carpet runner, you know the plastic that has those little spikes on one side. We just cut off the spikes and used cement glue to glue two of them together. My second one, I made the flap out of plexiglass.
Roughly, the 4'x8'x3/4" plywood was $35, I cut my two panels and glued them together and then cut the hole. The magnetic strip, I think I needed 2 or 3, $5 each for the 1/2" wide, and the runner was like $2 a linear foot. Thisn flap was my first time, I have made others since. The one I currently use, the inner flap is made out of plexiglass and I love it.
Hi Crystal, i think this doggy door is so clever. Funny... my husband and I were pullin our hair our last night trying to replace the current one we have. A major fail. Can you tell me what tool you used to shave off those little spikes behind the vinyl? I'd like to attempt this today.
At first I just used a utility knife and shaved them off. That got really tedious and ended up using a power hand sander. Still wasn't a quick sanding but my current flap is big enough to fit a 200# Dane and a Chihuahua so that took a lot of material.
If you use the utility knife, be sure to put the vinyl runner on a table so the flap can fall off the side. That way, your knife and flap will be parallel with each other and you won't be slicing into the runner.
@@BretMogilefsky I did this and it does not seem to be firm enough to hold the shape and thus the magnets do not make contact on the sides of the frame. I am going to re-enforce with light weight strips of wood around the edges. I will post an update here.
Depends on the flap material. In this video, since I used vinyl, no hinges were needed. I basically placed about 6" of the vinyl flap sandwiched between the wooden door and another piece of wood. Then just screwed in several screws. If you use plexiglass for your flap, yes you will need a long hinge.
It's just the vinyl runner with the little spikes used on carpet. I used a knife and cut off the spikes and then used cement glue to glue two pieces of the vinyl runner together for added weight.
travis henry yes I get the magnetic strip that comes in a roll, I'll post the link below. It has an adhesive backing to the strip but still use contact cement to attach it to the vinyl. I cut the strip to the legnths needed for my ooenong, yours will vary. So for this door, there's 12 strips. 3 on the inner flap, 6 on the outer flap (3 of those connect to the inner flap and the other 3 connect to the door) and 3 on the outer door. Does that make sense or did I confuse it even more? m.homedepot.com/p/MASTER-MAGNETICS-1-in-x-30-in-Magnetic-Tape-Roll-96304/203613130
This is such a clever idea. Other videos or instructions on this 2-flap theory used wood as the frame of the door that swings inside. Using carpet protector is genius! How did you attach the flaps. Did you use 1 piece folder over the top (maybe over a small rod?) or are there 2 separate pieces. - Oops! just saw HIS blog!
OlliMSa I didn't fully understand your question, but I'll try to answer. There's a horizontal piece of plywood that you'll see right above the opening of the door. That piece of wood is holding the flap. There's probably a good 3"-4" of vinyl underneath that plywood piece. It's all held together with screws through the plywood piece and the vinyl flap and the screws end inside the main plywood door.
Do you see that piece of plywood, it's about 5" tall that has all the screws in it? There's about 4" of the vinyl runner under that piece of wood. It's like a sandwich with the runner being in the middle of the two plywood boards.
Wished i could do something like this where i live but living in the country would bring me all kinds of problems. Neighbors down the road had one of these and one morning was woke up by noises in their kitchen. When they got to their kitchen they were shocked to see a big bobcat who was pissed off just by seeing them
Ha! Oh yes! We lived in Montana at the time and had bobcats in the area but none ever came in. However, now living in the country in Oklahoma, no thanks, can't have this door anymore! Way too many snakes and coyotes!
@@Weimaraner03 We have two sets of dog doors. One dog door leads from house to screened in porch and locks. This one goes from screened porch to backyard.
Hi... I copied your system. It's great !!. But I had a problem, my magnets worked, when I stuck them to the frame of the door they stopped attracting and did not join. Sorry for my english
Daniel are the magnets repelling each other? Magnets will go together only one way, if they are getting repelled, turn one strip of magnets around 180 degrees (basically make the top the bottom and the bottom the top) and see if that works.
