Dragon Wall Pet Door - Installation Instructions

Installation Instructions

Difficulty Difficult

Steps 21

Time Required 3 - 4 hours

Sections 04

Flags 03

Parts

Flap and Frame Assembly
1 Locking Cover - rectangular sheet with a hole near the top
2 Tall Tunnel Sections - black, rectangular sheets
2 Short Tunnel Sections - black, rectangular sheets
4 Tunnel Corner Guides - black, corner profile sticks
8 Frame Screws – 1-3/4” long, #10 wood screws
8 Frame Washers – steel 9/16” washers

Tools & Materials

2x4 lumber (at least 6ft)
Construction screws (8)
Hammer drill
Impact driver
5/16” or 3/8” masonry drill bit longer than your wall thickness
Level
Drywall saw
Jigsaw
Circular saw
Painter’s tape
Pencil

Please read instructions & notes thoroughly before installation. If you are not completely comfortable cutting a hole in your home, we highly recommend hiring a professional.

Required Skills: Locating studs inside of your wall, cutting standard lumber to length, cutting level and precise openings through your interior and exterior walls, toenailing lumber.

Step 1 Confirm Measurements and Locate Studs

If you have not yet measured your pet, see this guide to ensure the pet door will work.
Locate the studs on either side of where you want to install your wall pet door and mark with a pencil or painter's tape.

Step 2 Tape the Template to the Wall

Tape the installation template to your interior wall centered between the adjacent studs.
The top edge of the template should be at least 2” above your pet’s shoulders.
The bottom of the template should be at least 1.5" from the floor.
Check the template top edge with a level.

Step 3 Mark the Outline

Mark the physical outline of the template with a sharp pencil. Remove the template.
Drill and saw out a small test square in the middle to check for wire/pipes in the installation area.
Make adjustments as necessary.
Triple check for studs. Check the bottom, the middle, and the top where the cut out would be.

Step 4 Drill the Holes

With a 5/16” or 3/8” drill bit (5/16” preferred) drill through just the interior wall on the corners of the template outline with the center of the bit directly on the outline’s corners.
Drilling a small pilot hole first can help keep the bit from shifting.

Step 5 Make the Rough Cutout

Place your jigsaw blade or drywall saw into the holes and cut along the lines you drew in Step 3 for the interior wall.
You will be making a rectangle connecting the centers of each of the holes.
Cut as straight as possible; aim to not deviate more than 1/8” from the line on either side. If using a jigsaw, protect your paint by sliding the saw on top of cardboard as you cut instead of directly on the wall.
Remove any insulation to expose the back of the exterior wall.
Measure where your cutout is relative to the floor of the inside of your wall and where one side edge is relative to an adjacent stud.

Step 6 Mark the Template Outlines

Mark on the back of the exterior wall (looking from the inside) where to put the template based on your measurements, then redraw at least the corners of the outline.

Step 7 Drill the Holes

Drill straight through the corners of the outline from the inside wall. These should line up with your original holes.

Step 8 Cut the External Wall

Use a circular saw or jigsaw to cut the external wall.
It is possible you may need a different tool depending on the wall’s construction.

Step 9 Cut Tunnel Sections with a Saw or Scissors.

Measure your total interior to exterior wall thickness.
Add or Subtract to the total wall thickness
Medium: Subtract 1/8"
Large: Add 3/16”
Cut the width (see diagram) of all four pieces to this length. If you have square pieces you can cut either edge.

Step 10 Cut Corner Guides.

Take your total wall thickness again and subtract 2-1/8”.
Cut all four of your corner guides to this length with a jigsaw or hacksaw.

Step 11 Test fit the tunnel.

Lay the inside frame face down on the floor. If you have a single flap, the frame without the flap installed is the inside frame and the other is the outside frame. If you have a double flap, the frames are identical and interchangeable, you can pick which is which.
Fit the tunnel section pieces onto the inside frame.

Step 12 Fit the Corner Guides

Press fit the corner guides all the way onto the tunnel section pieces with the corner guide positioned as close to the frame as possible.

Step 13 Tape the Tunnel

Tape together the corners of the tunnel where pieces meet after the guides. Take out the tunnel, tape the corners that were in the inside frame, then put the tunnel back in the inside frame.

Step 14 Connect the Frames

Place the outside frame on top.
Remove the frames once you’re familiar with how they fit together, but keep the tunnel assembled.

Step 15 Fasten Installation Lumber Inside the Wall

Cut four 14” sections of 2x4, or however long spans between studs.
Place one of the 2x4s inside the wall as shown in the image to the right. Place it horizontally and flat against the inside of the wall with the wide side of the 2x4 against the wall.
Raise the 2x4 so that it is visible in the rough cutout. The table below shows how much should be visible depending on whether it's on the top or the bottom, and whether you have a medium or large flap.

Step 16 Secure the Lumber

Secure the 2x4 by toe nailing it into the adjacent studs.
Repeat steps 13 through 15 for the other three 2x4s so that there are two on the top and two on the bottom, ensuring they are level with each other.
If your rough cutout is close enough to the ground that the bottom 2x4s are further than 2-1/2” into the cutout, cut down the 2x4s or use 2x2s.

Step 17 Fit the frame

Insert the inside frame, ensuring the frame covers the entire rough cutout.
Tape the frame securely to your wall and then insert the tunnel into the frame.
Use more tape than you think you need.

Step 18 Check the Framing Lumber

Check that the 2x4s can be seen straight-on through the frame screw holes.
If you can see the 2x4s, the frame covers the rough cutout, and the tunnel fits, you’re set to continue.

Step 19 Drill Pilot Holes

Make pilot hole markings on the 2x4s where the frame screws will go. You can use the frame screws to make indentations if you can’t get a pencil all the way through.
Repeat steps b and c for the other three 2x4s so that there are two on the top and two on the bottom, ensuring they are level with each other.
Remove the frame and tunnel then drill pilot holes with a 1/8" drill bit.

Step 20 Fasten Frame to Installation Lumber

Do not overtighten. Read each step below before starting.
Place the inside frame and tunnel back into the rough cutout, taped to the wall.
On each of the four screw holes, place a washer over the frame wood screw and then loosely screw the provided wood screws into the pilot holes.
Once each screw has engaged their pilot holes, go back and tighten down each screw only until the frame is sturdily flush with your wall. Check that your frame remains level as you go.
Tighten slower as you reach the end so you don’t overtighten.
Remove the tape holding the frame to the wall.

Step 21 Install the Outside Frame

Repeat steps 18 through 20 but with the outside frame, fitting it into the tunnel. Make sure none of the tunnel pieces are loose before you fasten.
Remove any remaining tape.
If the frame positions need to be adjusted, loosen screws, make the adjustments, and tighten back down.
Ensure the frames are flush with your wall, are level, and are sturdy.
With a silicone sealant of your choice, we recommend sealing any gaps on the corners of the inside of the frames, as well as anywhere the tunnel sections and guides meet.

Large Wall Mounts Install the Hole Plugs

For large flap size wall mounts only.
If you have a Large Size Wall Mount, install the hole plugs to cover the exposed screws holes.