@@JPE_DRAEB the little groves that are on the middle of the face of the door. They would act as little reservoirs for water to pool in at the top of the dog door (on the outside of course). You have to drop a ton of caulk in there
Great. I bought the xtra-large version. Definately take door off. I also laid a bead of exterior silicon down as a driving rain will pool in the grooves in a panel steel door. Just a simple precaution.
Love the idea of removing the door but probably won't do mine since it's old and slightly warped. But I wanted to comment that for the size of the door you installed the door should be lower to the floor. It should be at the dog's stomach level. In case you ever install another one. Thanks Polly
Great video. What a good landlord! I am renting, and my landlord allows pets but doesn't have a dog door or a sliding door to the backyard, so I bought my own door to install a dog door into and plan on putting the old door back on when I move out
That is a really good plan! Measure the hinge locations. It will be extra work for you if they do not line up. You might check with your landlord and see if you can put a dog door in you current door if it is not all glass. If you are going to be there a while in may be worth you paying for. As a landlord I like the idea of the dog letting themselves out, less accidents in the home.
Lucky me! You used the exact same dog door I bought and my paneled door is nearly identical, too! I I figured this was the best way to install but was worried about the panels.
The dog door was installed extremely too high on the exterior door. That was a small dog door so it should have been measured up from the bottom of door to an appropriate height for a small dog to use. The install was rushed without appropriate measurements . 🐾
How far do you measure up from the bottom of the door for a dog door that is made for up to 40 pound dogs. Denise, this is a dog door for a rent house and more often than not the dogs are on the bigger side of the 40 pounds.
Great video, just what I needed🙏 Definitely agree with taking the door off and working despite the extra effort. Although I think it will take me a few hours not 20 minutes 😂
Same! Even tho I work in construction, this is not something I do on the daily. People with experience have a much easier time with these tasks. I can do it for sure, but def not in 20 minutes 😂
I suggest using a square if you are not a carpenter with experienced eyes to mark cut lines to make sure you don't end up with something that is not level or plumb. Caulk the gaps. As far as taking the door off it depends on the weight and the strength/health of the person. I wanted to see how a dog door worked on a raised panel door. This will take the average person longer than 20 minutes most likely to get ducks in a row and cleanup, etc. Don't be in a hurry. Thanks.
I was thinking my dogs wouldn't let a raccoon come in because they always seem to know when a possum, etc. is outside and as soon as the door opens they chase off any critter in sight. But, I desperately need a dog door installed because having three dogs that want in and out all during the day and night drives me crazy and wears me out. So, if they can go in and out at their own will, would be worth a raccoon inside if they were brave enough to take on three dogs.
Thanks for the info. Being that I don't have the strength to remove & move a steel door (I'm disabled), I think a video showing the installation with the door in place would be great. But I did get enough info to get started on the project. Thx!
Any reason not to center the door on one of the 2 door panels, instead of between them? I think that would look better on my door, and also seal better, but are there any problems that would cause with install?
Taking the door off is a good idea - being a 105 lb female, I may not be able to handle the door by myself... I'm putting in a larger door (there is an existing smaller door) - so I might just sit on a stool and enlarge the hole with my reciprocating saw. Great video!
When putting the door back on loosen the hinges on the door just a little but not the top hinge. This will allow you to install the top hinge first and then have wiggle room for the other 2 hinges
Kenneth Toohill hard to see or you cannot see it in the video but there is a round rubber seal that have a good amount of give that keeps it sealed. I have not had any leaking issues. It would have been better to take off the blinds but it was about to get dark and I wanted to see if I could knock this project out in 20 minutes.
If the gasket that comes with the door doesn't quite fill those panel recesses you can caulk them. Recommend tape on the door and the frame to keep the caulking nice and neat.
I never want to be in a hurry to do a job or feel under pressure. That’s why I charge enough for it to be worth my time. Otherwise I’d go work for someone else. And always mark on the OUTSIDE of your doggy door flange. A little bigger wont hurt. But trying to shave an 1/8 of an inch or more is a hot mess you don’t want to deal with. Cut it right the first time. As far as taking the door off ? Absolutely. Metal flakes are going to fly every where. I get 150 to install a doggy door. If someone asks why so much? I say when you wreck your door it will be 300.00 for me to rehang a new one. That usually seals the deal.
Great advice, on the higher price on the install. You have to charge a little more when you are going to take care of things if something goes wrong. Thank you for your comments, I agree with you!
Thanks for the video. Only suggestion is for those who have metal doors is to sweep up the metal shavings after drilling so not to walk by barefooted one day and get jabbed.
I have the exact same dog door to install. The instructions on the back said to use the dog door cover to draw around. I think that would have been easier. I hope they don't have a chihuahua. That opening is way too high. My 2 Chihuahuas would never be able to step over that.
I like the idea of using a cutoff wheel on the metal door. I helped my friend do this on a door and it was a nightmare with a jigsaw with a metal blade. I should be doing this to 2 doors in the next couple of weeks and your way seems much better.
@@robira1313 that is true and it would work better on a flat surface. The dog door slides together in the hole in the door so if the hole you cut is like mine, very close to the same size it is all pretty tight. I have had no problems with drafts or water leaks.
Is it really necessary to remove the door from the hinges? I've installed an extra large dog door on an interior door with just a drill and jigsaw and i didn't have to take the door down.
@jeremymccoy4141 - this is what I'm facing. I have the gaps as well, but I don't want to leave them like he did. Would you fill the gaps with the caulk or something else? Either way, I'll still seal it up with caulking for waterproofing.
DO NOT use an angle grinder on a metal exterior door. There is insulation inside that burns from the blade and the smell is ACRID. I will never do that again. Maybe use an air hammer with a chisel bit. Anything but an angle grinder. Worst smell ever
@@TheImprovementChannel like I said, worst smell ever. You couldn't pay me enough to do that again with an angle grinder. For the sake of health don't use an angle grinder. There's fire retardants that cause cancer when not burned, imagine what they do as a burning dust
Yes, but I'm worried that my friend didnt place it low enough to the bottom of the door. Is it possible to place a larger door in the same area, just lower?@@TheImprovementChannel
Take a tube of exterior cocking for outside around doggy door, and paintable cocking around the door on the inside. This will help keep rain and weather from getting inside
This is the best way to see how cheaply your exterior doors are made. I work in a door shop cutting these out all day and man those doors are so cheap, if you want a decent door go with mahogany or fir.
Taking the door off could make it harder to get the dog door level. This is important because in order for the flap to work reliably it needs to be level.
a small dog can walk through a large doggie door if it is low enough. i would have went with a larger door but at a lower height to accommodate different size pets that might move in there. that door would be useless for a dachshund or similar breeds
michael smith you are exactly right. I ended up having the first renters move in with Chihuahuas. I removed that door and purchased the next size up and moved it down lower. It was still a little high. I was thinking more about medium sized dogs.
I wouldnt have thought of taking the door off, it seems like it would help a lot! I have been a little intimidated about putting a dog door in but this makes me way more confident!
I just had a dog door installed in my mobile home back door. When it rains the water puddles in the ledge. The ledge is on the outside of the door and the flap is in the inner part of the door. I hope that makes sense. Was this done correctly? Like I stated when it rains the ledge is on the outside and the water pools up and then drips under the flap. Therefore I get water in my house. It has not been sealed around the dog door frame. This also allows water to come out of the frame a little bit.
They can be a bit leaky. If you could install a small roof/small deck with steps and a roof over it that will solve the problem and make life much better.
@@TheImprovementChannel I just bought this mobile home and it is brand new. I have a new door and a new dog door I do have a 6x8 deck back there but I do not have a roof over the deck. I went to Lowe's and bought some silicone caulking. I caulked all the way around the inside and the outside frame of the dog door. I hope that works but is the ledge supposed to be on the outside of the door or on the inside? The flap is on the inside. Thank you for answering. I'm older and have to go find help. It's not easy. I can do some things myself.
