Install Pet Door in Garage Door

Thinking about installing a pet door in your Lakeland garage door? It might not be a bad idea.

By installing a pet door in your garage, you and your pets may have several advantages. Your pets will be able to enjoy some independence in accessing a comfortable insulated shelter without constantly scratching on the door to your home.

This is better than a pet door into your house, which could allow access to unwanted visitors of all types. As for the garage, leaving the garage door cracked or a door partially open at all hours invites potential thieves as well as vermin.

The following is information about types of pet doors if you decide that installing a pet door in your garage is a good solution for your home, family, and pets. A brief overview of how to install a pet door in a garage door can be found below.

Choosing a Pet Door

Pet doors come in a variety of options. Your reasons for installing a pet door may be a deciding factor in which type you choose. The following are some of the kinds of pet doors available today:

Plastic or Aluminum

The most basic kinds of pet doors are designed to install on an exterior door, whether the home exterior or the garage door. This type has an aluminum or plastic frame and hard or soft flaps that pets pass through. This is the easiest type for do-it-yourself installation.

Options for this type of pet door include extreme-weather flaps that help to keep outdoor temperatures outside. With the year-round warm weather in Florida, even your insulated garage will stay cooler if the outdoor heat is kept out.

Built-in Pet Doors

If you were in the market for a new door into your garage, you might want to consider a door with a pet pass-through already built-in. These are high-quality options that provide a greater measure of protection and energy efficiency.

Installed in a Wall

You may find that the best option for your family is to provide a pet door through a wall of the garage. This is more involved than installing a pet door in an entryway. In fact, it is recommended that a carpenter or experienced handyman install this type of pet door.

Electronic Pet Door

Electronic pet doors will only allow pets that wear a sensor tag to enter and exit. The tags and the door can be programmed to allow pets access in and out of the garage at certain times of the day and remain locked at other times.

According to the Humane Society, using this type of electronic pet door is the most effective way to keep out unwanted wildlife, such as skunks and raccoons.

Steps for Installing a Pet Door in your Lakeland Garage Door

The following is a brief overview of the steps involved in installing a pet door in your garage door for DIYers:

• Decide the best place to install a pet door in your garage door. Keep in mind that the bottom of the pet door must be installed at least 2 inches above the bottom of the garage door. The size of the pet door must be at least 2 inches above the height of your pet’s shoulder.
• Do measurements to mark off the placement of the door with a pencil.
• Drill holes with a ¼ inch bit just inside each of the corners of the markings for the pet doors, which will create rounded corners.
• Use a jigsaw with a blade that is appropriate for the thickness and material of your garage door. Start with one of the corners that you’ve drilled and cut out the outline of your opening. Sand the edges afterward to ensure the safety of your pets.
• As you assemble the door, ensure that the door lines up with the opening of the frame and no raw edges are exposed. Apply caulk all around the edge of the opening and then screw the pet door frame into place.

Safe Way Garage Doors Can Help

If you live in or around Lakeland, FL, give us a call at (863) 701–9779 for any help you may need with your automatic garage door opener system. We can help with broken spring replacement, garage door cable replacement, pet door installation, and all of your needs for garage door repair services.