13 DIY Dog Door Ideas: Flap, Sliding Glass and Screen Door Options

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How many times a day do you open the back door?

For me it was around twenty. Out, in, out again because there’s a squirrel. A dog door ends that, and your dog loves the freedom.

The good news is you don’t need to cut a hole in everything. There are options for glass, screens, windows and even walls.

Here are 13 DIY dog door ideas for every type of home. Three of them come with full step by step build cards.

1. Easy Dog Door Flap for a Wooden Door

If you have a plain wooden door, you can add a dog flap in an afternoon. It’s a simple cutout, a frame and a flexible flap that swings both ways.

Size is everything. Measure your dog from the floor to the top of the shoulders, subtract 2 inches for the top of the door, and add 2 inches to the width of the chest. Mark the opening with painter’s tape first, and look at it with your dog standing next to it.

⏱ 3 hours💲 Medium🛠 Medium

2. Dog Door Flap Replacement

Flaps wear out. They crack, curl and let the draft in. A new flap is cheap, and changing it takes ten minutes.

Measure the width and height of your old flap, and pick one with a magnet if your door has a magnetic frame. Unscrew the old one, fit the new one and test the swing before your dog does.

Shop it: replacement dog door flap, vinyl

Best for: worn flaps and drafty doors

3. Sliding Glass Door Dog Door Insert

A panel insert fits right into the track of your sliding door. No cutting through the door, no holes in the glass and it’s easy to remove when you move out.

The panel is a piece of wood or acrylic cut to fit the door’s height, with a pet door set into it. Slide it in like a normal sash, and close the door against it. It’s the best choice for renters.

⏱ 4 hours💲 Medium🛠 Medium

4. Screen Door Dog Door

A screen door is the easiest door to adapt, because the screen cuts easily and costs very little to fix.

Add a ready made pet panel to the bottom of a sliding or hinged screen door. It stays light, and your dog gets an easy path in and out during warm months.

You’ll need: pet screen door with flap

Best for: warm climates and summer use

5. Screen Porch Dog Door

A screen porch gives dogs a safe, shaded space. A small door from the house to the porch makes it feel like their own room.

Keep the porch door small, with a latch that holds. Check the screen mesh for gaps, and fix any tears so insects and small animals stay out.

You’ll need: pet resistant screen mesh

Best for: porch owners and shady spots

6. Storm Door and Metal Door Pet Flap

Storm doors and metal doors need a different approach. Cutting metal is hard, so use an insert made for the panel instead.

A storm door insert replaces a glass or screen panel with a pet flap. For a metal door, use a kit made for that purpose, and wear gloves and eye protection.

You’ll need: storm door pet door insert

Best for: metal and storm doors

7. Wall Dog Door

A door through a wall is the toughest option. It gives you a dog door when you have no glass or door to use.

Before you cut, find the studs, wiring and pipes. If you aren’t sure, ask a professional. Use a tunnel kit to line the hole and keep the draft out.

Shop it: dog door tunnel kit for walls

Best for: homes with no door option

8. Window Dog Door

A window insert is another good way to avoid cutting a door. The panel fits in the lower window sash, and your dog steps right through.

Pick a ground floor window and use a sturdy panel with a pet door. Add a window lock above the panel so the window can’t be pushed up from outside.

You’ll need: window pet door insert

Best for: ground floor rooms and quick installs

9. Dog Gate Door

A dog gate with a small door lets your dog roam the yard and keeps them off the road. It works well for gardens and side yards.

Fit a small door to a gate, with a strong latch that dogs can’t push open. Make sure there are no gaps at the sides, and check the hinges every month.

You’ll need: dog proof gate latch

Best for: yards and gardens

10. Awning Over the Dog Door

A small awning keeps rain off the flap and keeps your dog dry. It also protects the door from sun and snow.

Make a simple slanted roof from a board and two brackets. Angle it slightly so water runs off, and keep it high enough that your dog never bumps it.

You’ll need: door awning canopy, small

Best for: rainy climates

11. Bell Potty Training Hanger

Bells teach your dog to say ‘I need to go out.’ It’s a classic training trick, and the bell hanger takes ten minutes to make.

Hang the bells at your dog’s nose height by the door you use for potty trips. Each time you go out, tap the bells, say a cue and give a treat once your dog has gone outside.

⏱ 20 minutes💲 Low🛠 Easy

12. Door Stopper, Lock and Mat

Three small things make any dog door better. A stopper holds it open, a lock keeps it secure and a mat catches the mud.

Use a heavy rubber stopper for hot days, and a lock for nights and trips. Put a washable mat on both sides, so your dog wipes their paws as they come in.

You’ll need: heavy duty rubber door stopper and dog door mat, absorbent

Best for: secure homes and muddy paws

13. Large Dog Door With a Ramp

Big dogs need big doors. The opening must be tall enough for their shoulders, and the step must be low enough for aching joints.

Add a low ramp outside if there’s a step. Make it wide, non slip and gently sloped. An extra large door with a sturdy frame handles heavy dogs best.

You’ll need: extra large dog door and a non slip dog ramp

Best for: large and senior dogs

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on DIY Dog Door

A dog door gives your dog freedom and you a lot less door opening. Measure carefully, choose the option that suits your home and keep safety first. Start with the easiest idea, and build up from there.

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