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Home Repair Design Dilemma entry

Want to replace the moving door on my French doors

5 years ago

I have a French door from my sun room to my back deck. Only one door opens. Can I just replace that door or do I need to replace the stationary part of door as well? I want to put a door that has a dog door in and clearly it’s cheaper to buy one door than brand new French door. Tia

Featured Answer

wcjo

5 years ago

The panes would be a problem unless they are the kind you could just take off or you replaced the glass in both to eliminate them. I don't think it matters which door to install it on, but I would do stationary one so the dog doesn't try to use it while person is opening door. If you have room, a dog door installed in the wall might be easiest? There are also storm doors with the pet door already installed but don't know if that would work for you. Good luck.

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Comments (14)

mike_kaiser_gw
5 years ago
Depending on the manufacturer and age of the door, you may be able to buy a single panel. You'll have to determine who made the door and it's model/serial number and contact the manufacturer to see what options are available to you. Since most patio doors are mostly glass, I have no idea how you put a doggy door in one.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
I agree about the dog door.
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Tracy Wood
Original Author
5 years ago
So the dog door actually comes built in to the door, if I can just replace the non stationary door that would solve my problem
tatts
5 years ago
I would certainly replace the stationary door, not the real door. Far fewer things to align/fix/match.

Can you put the door in the wall instead? That's far simpler if it's all frame construction.
Izzy Mn
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Maybe a competent door installer could do it for you. I would ask for the specs on the door before you purchase it so door guy can see if it can be altered to fit your situation. Store the old stationary door just in case you ever want to switch back.

When you say stationary do you mean it is a non working door looking glass panel, like what sliding doors have, that doesn't open? Or is it just not ever opened? Building codes (door opening sizes) may make it so it needs to be a functional door. But I don't know what your building codes are for such doors.

I would understand why you don't want to put a hole in a wall rather than a door for a dog door.
Tracy Wood thanked Izzy Mn
wcjo
5 years ago
We purchased a "bulldog" brand dog door to install into one side of our patio door panel. They gave us names of some local glass companies who could install. It's a great product, but pricey to install. The glass company comes out & measures, then must order special glass with opening cut for dog door. Then they return and install. Plan on about a month between measuring & actual install. We love ours.
Tracy Wood thanked wcjo
Tracy Wood
Original Author
5 years ago
The door on right is the only one that moves. It has 3 hinges so if I can replace that door or even add a storm door outside of it would be ideal. Maybe I’m just in the wishful thinking world.
PRO
BeYOUtiful Properties
last year
Curious if you ever found a resolution for this? We are in the same boat and want to do the exact same thing. The home is brick and there is no wall space to add a dog/cat door from the back yard but if we could swap out a solid hollow core type door w a pet door in it temporarily it would solve our dilemma (our cat doesn’t like one of our dogs and needs a way into the part of the house where the dog doesn’t have access).
Stax
last year
I love "solid hollow core" doors
PRO
BeYOUtiful Properties
last year
Solid as in not glass 😂😆
PRO
BeYOUtiful Properties
last year
LOl
Tracy Ash
last year
Hi! So I ended up putting a dog door in the wall next to the doors, as it was easier and way cheaper to do. I know this doesn't help since you said that's not an option but that is what I ended up doing.... now I hate the dog door cause my neighbors got a dog and all my dogs want to do is go out and bark at it, so the dog door stays closes most the time LOL
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
https://in-n-outpetdoor.com/

Just Google Pet door for French Doors and a number of products pop up.

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