How to Install Cat Doors With Magnet Locks

If you have a cat that enjoys going back and forth between indoors and outdoors, it may be beneficial for you to install a cat door. Unfortunately, because many cat and dog doors have been unable to prevent other animals from entering and leaving at will, creative options have been sought. Cat doors are now available with magnetic locks, allowing you to have a greater control of which critters are allowed to enter, and in turn, which critters are allowed to leave as well. Installation for these cat doors with magnetic locks is not all together difficult, but it does take a little bit of work. Read on to learn how to install cat doors with magnet locks.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat door with magnetic lock of your choice
• Tools if manual installation is required
• Thorough installation instructions from manufacturer of chosen pet door

1. Know that there are numerous different cat doors with magnetic locks on the market right now, and choosing the right one for you is completely up to you. There are cat doors that are built into glass panels and can be installed into sliding door systems, and there are cat doors that come in metal panels that are meant to be set into wooden doors. The sliding door system style offers an easier installation, but the standard wooden door style can offer its own unique benefits.

2. If installing a glass panel cat door know that the temporary style glass panel pet door is installed by sliding the panel into the top tracks of the sliding doors, and then the bottom ones. It fits against the wall that the door slides into, allowing the door to open at will or for the panel to be removed.

3. Keep in mind that the semi-permanent style of glass panel pet doors is installed the same way as before, but has a locking mechanism on both sides. One side attaches to the wall, making it a more permanent, locking option. The other side allows the door to lock into it, creating what is essentially an addition to the wall. These pet doors can be removed, but it takes a little more work than the temporary form offers.

4. If installing a wooden door cat door: Installation for a cat door in a wooden door takes a little bit more work. Begin by deciding where in the door you will install the pet door. Use the pet door frame as a template and draw on the door where the cutting should take place.

5. Use a reciprocating saw to cut a hole in the door to accommodate the pet door. The instruction manual may have suggestions on the size of the hole based on how the frame of the cat door needs to be installed.

6. Once the hole has been cut, you can fit the metal frame for the cat door into it. It should fit in well but if it feels loose do not fret, because you will still be screwing the frame into the door for greater stability.

7. Now use an appropriate screwdriver to screw in the four corners of the cat door. Sometimes the frame only needs to be screwed in on one side, while other cat door products require that screws be inserted from both sides. Sometimes this depends on the size of the cat door, and also the thickness of the door itself.

Tips & Warnings

• Every cat door product is different, so make sure that you follow the instructions and materials list for the manufacturer as well as the guidelines mentioned here. The manufacturer's guidelines will be much more thorough regarding what materials are needed, and how exactly to install each different type of cat door with magnetic lock.