How to Install a Pet Screen Door

Installing a pet screen door is a great way of giving your pet access to the house without having to open the screen. The pet door will only be open long enough for your pet to enter or leave so your protection is not diminished.

Remove the Screen Door

Mark the bottom of the door where you want the pet door to go and then remove the door from its track. Lay it down on a large flat surface.

Inspect the Screen

Check the material of the screen and make sure it is still sound. If the door is a year or two old it might be a good idea to replace the screen material – especially if it looks like it might not be strong enough to support the weight of the pet door.

Check the Instructions for the Pet Screen

Make sure that you understand exactly how the pet door you are installing is fitted. If one part of the pet door is for the outside of the screen door, make sure you have marked which side of the door that is.

Place a Protective Board Under the Pet Door Location

This board should be slightly thicker than the pet door and larger all round.

Position One Half of the Pet Door Frame on the Board

Lay one half of the pet door frame on top of the board but under the screen door. Make sure it is perfectly positioned in the location for the pet door that you have marked on the screen. Ideally, this position will be in the corner of the screen door that will be up against the jamb.

Cut the Hole For the Door

When you have the pet door positioned perfectly, cut away the screen material using the inside edge of the frame as a guide. Make this cut as straight as you can.

Present the Second Half of the Frame

Once the hole is cut, making sure not to move anything, place the second half of the pet door frame on top of the first half. You will trap the edges of the hole you have just cut.  

Hammer the Two Halves Together

Using a rubber mallet carefully hammer the sides of the frame together. The edges of the screen material will be forced into a channel in the bottom half of the frame. The top half of the frame will trap the edges in the channel and hold the pet door frame in place.

Using Screen Spline to Hold the Screen Material in the Pet Door

Some pet screen doors use screen spline to hold the screen material in a groove in the frame of the pet door. Spline is a special cord that helps to force the screen material into a groove in the door frame. A notched spline wheel is a tool specially designed for this job. The two halves of the pet door frame are joined together once the screen material is secured.

Once the pet door is in place, check the runners and rollers for the screen door and clean them if necessary. Re-hang the screen door and test that it rolls well and that the pet door does not interfere with its movement.