A doggy door is a simple way to let your dog have access to your yard to improve his or her house training skills and enjoy being out in the sunshine. However, doggy doors require more than just a quick installation before enjoying it. Check out these tips from All-Weather on what you need to know before choosing and installing a doggy door.
Safety First
A wide variety of dog doors include options that lock or open only for dogs wearing an electronic collar. These add increased safety to your home, and keep wandering wildlife (possums, raccoons, etc) out, while also allowing Fido to roam freely. Make sure to choose doors sized precisely to fit your dog, and check out energy-efficient weatherized options as well.
Installation
When deciding to install a dog door, the first choice you should make is where to install it. A variety of doggy door kits install in the bottom of an exterior door, a wall or even a screen. Large panels allow you to create a doggy door in your sliding patio door. You will find dog doors to fit nearly any type of location, but be sure to ask a Kansas City entry door professional which doggy door is right for your existing door.
Installing a dog door is a project that requires woodworking skills and precise cutwork on your doors. Some dog door installations require even more complex work than others. Adding a dog door to a wall requires woodworking skills, and it is a task that is difficult for the average homeowner to accomplish. Hiring a professional is the best way to achieve a finished look and an efficient installation process.
Is My Door Ideal for a Doggy Door?
Most different types of wooden doors are ideal for including a dog door. Most dog door kits include a cutting template and all the hardware you will need for professional installation. Metal doors are also appropriate for dog doors, but having a hole cut in this type of door is more difficult, as it requires a metal saw blade. Dog doors cannot be added to very thin doors, hollow-core doors or glass doors.
Risks of Installing a Doggy Door
Risks of installing a dog door include the opportunity for other neighborhood pets or wildlife to access your home along with large dog doors inviting the opportunity for burglars to easily enter your home.
Choosing a locking or electronic door will eliminate this issue, as only your dog will be able to trigger the door to open. If you plan to sell your home, a dog door could deter potential home purchasers; however, a high-quality locking door closes tightly if no dog is in the home.
Dog doors also may create drafts or allow cold or hot air to enter your home; however, high-quality insulated doors that have a two-flap system will eliminate this problem and close securely. Two-flap systems that install in the wall are effective, as the wide air lock that forms between the two flaps serves as an insulative space.
