Wheaton Pet Door Installation

When it comes to the wide range of services that we offer at Mr. Handyman, one of our more niche but popular services is Wheaton pet door installations. When looking at pet door options, it can get overwhelming quickly. But with our handyman professionals at your disposal, we'll get you set up with the best option for both you and your best friend.

Size and Placement Options for a Wheaton Pet Door Installation

Your furry friends come in all different shapes and sizes and so too must their doors. It can be tricky to handle a Wheaton pet door installation as a DIY project, but with the handyman professionals from Mr. Handyman, we'll help you find the perfect fit for both your pet and your home.

When you think of a pet door, you probably think of traditional doggy doors or a cat flap. But there are a myriad of options available on the market today. The first step we take to determine what pet door option will work best for you is to take accurate measurements of your pet. Because if you have a Great Dane, the doggy door for it is going to be much bigger than one for a house cat.

The next step is to determine which type of pet flap or door you're looking to have installed. There are a variety of doors, with each coming with its own set of pros and cons. Our handyman professionals will work with you, helping you decide on which type of pet flap or door will work best for your home and for your pet's needs.

Lastly, you need to pick a location to install the pet flap or door. There's a certain amount of knowledge and expertise that goes into a Wheaton pet door installation, and you don't want to go cutting a hole for a pet flap in your door or wall until you're certain that you have all the information. By working with our true professionals, we'll help determine the best location for your Wheaton pet door installation based on several factors. These include the design of your home, the size and style of the pet door, and where you want the pet door to lead.

Wheaton Pet Door Installation: What to Consider

Having a Wheaton pet door installation is all about convenience. However, you have to carefully consider several factors when looking at installing a pet door in your home. Listed below are factors and features to consider when looking at having a professional Wheaton pet door installation.

Size

The first consideration is the size of your pet. You want to ensure that the pet door frame can easily accommodate your furry friend. Take accurate measurements of your pet from the top of your pet's shoulders to the ground and between the widest points of their shoulders. Given that pets will crouch or bend over to enter smaller spaces, you don't need to measure above the head.

If you have more than one pet that will be using the door, take the measurements from the larger pet. If you have concerns or need help with attention to detail, your local handyman will be able to help.

Living Arrangements

Installing a pet door can be a very permanent change to your home. If you're renting, you'll likely want to look into more temporary solutions than if you're a homeowner. Still, you'll want to consider your home's style and how you live, given that a Wheaton pet door installation often involves cutting into a wall or door.

Safety

Pet doors are often an invitation to unwanted intruders. From potential burglars to insects to wild animals, you want to consider where you install your pet door. You should never install a pet door near door knobs or other important fixtures. Before you schedule a Wheaton pet door installation, address the security concerns you might have with a home security expert.

It's also important that you consider children if you have them. Children will be quite tempted to crawl through a pet door, especially if they're small enough to fit (and even if they aren't, they'll still try). While you might think that a garage door is an ideal place for your Wheaton pet door installation, you should probably avoid that if you have children.

Noise

Depending on the pet door you choose, it might make more noise than others. Doors that make a loud clapping noise, for instance, might startle your pet. Even some automated pet doors can produce noises that might startle or annoy your pet. If you have any noise concerns, consult with one of our true professionals for recommendations and suggestions.

There are a variety of different materials available for pet flaps and doors, including glass, fiberglass, wood, and metal. But when you think of a pet door, you likely think of the traditional pet flap-style doors that are still very common. However, there's now a wider selection when it comes to your Wheaton pet door installation.

Traditional Pet Flaps

For the more traditional-minded, pet flap-style doors come in a variety of different materials. There are two parts to the door: the frame and the flap itself.

The frame for the door is typically made out of either plastic or metal, with two main purposes: attaching the pet flap to your home's wall or door and holding the flap that your pet will use to access the outside world.

Plastic frames are cost-effective and work best for cats or small, gentle dogs. However, they do come with risks, including that they'll warp or break and that your dog might decide that it makes for an excellent chew toy. Metal frames, on the other hand, are more expensive upfront, but last longer than plastic frames.

There are three main types of pet flaps, which are each made from different materials:

• Plastic Flaps: Plastic flaps are a cost-effective option. They're made out of PVC, with their lifespan depending on the type of pet you have (five years for cats, between 2 to 5 years for small dogs). These doors are equipped with a weather seal to help keep the outside weather out, but the material can become brittle and crack if temperatures drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Vinyl Flaps: There are two different types of vinyl flap doors: injection molded or cut from large sheets. Vinyl sheet flaps have magnets within the door's frame and steel riveted into the flap, which keeps the door shut. However, they're not recommended for places where the temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Injection-molded vinyl flaps are less expensive than their counterpart upfront but can be quite costly in the long run as they need to be replaced often. They're also only recommended for mild climates that don't see snow.
• K-9 Composite Flaps: K-9 Composite is an acrylic alloy that's similar to that used for airplane windshields. Although they're more expensive upfront compared to plastic or vinyl flaps, they have an extended lifespan of 20 to 30 years. They're highly recommended if you live in an area with extreme temperature fluctuations, and snow, and can take the hits that come with an energetic dog going through the often.

Smart Pet Doors

As with any home improvement project, there are smart options for your Wheaton pet door installation. If you're looking to keep out unwanted intruders, then a smart pet door is an excellent option. Many smart pet doors are controllable from an app on your phone.

Depending on the door, they might read the microchip embedded in your pet, opening automatically when your pet approaches the door. Some are triggered by movement, opening elevator-style, so your pet can enter and exit without the need for a flap. There are also smart pet doors that come with video monitoring, but those can be quite costly. Quiet, automated doors work well for smaller dogs who might spook easily or are particularly anxious.

With smart doors, there's quite a high upfront cost. They're also not very DIY-friendly. But the benefits of a smart pet door are that you can control when your pet uses the door, and they allow you to monitor who (or what) is coming and going from your home. Additionally, they're also far more energy efficient than the traditional models.