Patio Dog Doors

A patio dog door can be added to any existing patio door system since the entire unit fits within the door track to essentially become part of the door itself, complete with a locking mechanism.

The benefits of this type of pet door include:

• Easy installation without damaging your home's construction.
• Portability, since you can remove the unit and take it with you if you should move to a new home.
• Preservation of your home's resale value. Not everyone wants or needs a pet door and may not be inclined to purchase a home that already has one. Of course, a wall or swinging door unit can be removed, but then you're faced with the job of patching the hole left behind. There are no such worries when removing a patio dog door.

Temporary vs. Semi-Permanent

Patio dog doors are generally divided into two categories.

• Temporary dog doors are designed to be easily installed and removed from the patio door frame. These units are ideal for pet owners who either do not want a dog door available at all times or are worried about security when they travel.

• Semi-permanent dog doors are designed with a lock unit that must align perfectly with the patio door bracket. To assure this, the unit must be securely screwed in place with mounting hardware. The unit can still be removed; it just takes a little more work.

Note: Both temporary and semi-permanent style patio dog doors are also available with manual or automatic door flap options.

Achieving the Right Fit

It's crucial that the dog door you ultimately purchase fits both your patio door construction and your pet.

Measuring Your Patio Door

Patio dog doors are not one-size-fits-all because there is no standard size patio door. Your first step will be to measure the door opening from top to bottom on the inside of the door's track. This will give you the exact height of pet door your opening will accommodate, and you will use this measurement to help you select a patio dog door with an adjustable height range that falls within your dimensions.

Measuring Your Dog

Your next step will be to measure your dog to make sure he'll fit comfortably through the flap opening.

1. Measure your pet's height at the shoulders. This will determine how high the top of the pet door flap needs to be from the ground to keep your dog from having to crawl to go through it. Also measure his width to make sure he won't have to squeeze through the entry either.
2. Next, measure the distance between your pet's belly and the ground. Subtract this measurement from your pet's height at the withers. This, together with his width, will determine the size of flap opening you'll need.
3. Now let's talk about rise, the actual amount of space on the dog door between the ground and the bottom of the flap opening. The right amount of rise raises the flap opening to a comfortable height for your pet. Some dog doors come with an adjustable rise; others do not, so you need to check this dimension on any unit you're considering against your dog's measurement from ground to belly.

Keep in mind, that the lower the rise, the easier it is for your pet to step over. An adjustable rise unit comes with rise pieces of differing heights, allowing you to change the height to meet your pet's needs or to allow you to use the door for a different dog than it was originally purchased for.

Popular Patio Pet Door Models

The quality of a pet door varies from one manufacturer to the next, so carefully compare materials, installation difficulty, and purchase guarantees before you buy.

Here are a few of the most popular models currently on the market.

• VIP Patio Pet Doors from Ideal Pet Products
• Thermo Panel III from Patio Pacific Pet Doors
• Hale Security Panel Pet Doors

Summary

Patio dog doors are generally easier to install and remove than wall or window units, which saves wear and tear on your home. Careful measurements of your pet and your patio door unit are needed to assure a proper fit for both, resulting in a patio dog door that will give you plenty of use in the years to come.