Doggy Door Installation Through a Brick Wall

Locate and mark the inner edges of the studs where you want to install your doggy door, using an electronic stud finder and pencil. Studs are usually located on 16-inch centers with a 14-inch gap between studs, if you have a large dog, you may have to increase the opening size by installing a wider header noggin, supported by an extra side stud.

Cut out an opening through the drywall between studs with a drywall saw and remove any insulation material from between the studs.

Mark off the four corners on the brick wall from the inside with a felt-tipped pen. Place a spirit level both horizontally and vertically across the points and center the bubble to ensure that the opening is perfectly square.

Drill corner holes through the outside brick wall from the inside with a hammer drill fitted with a long 3/8-inch masonry bit. Align the drill both horizontally and vertically while doing so.

Go outside and connect the corners with the felt-tipped pen. Once again, use the spirit level to keep the opening perfectly square, both horizontally and vertically.

Cut through the opening with a masonry saw. Stop an inch from the corners and complete the corner cuts with a reciprocating saw fitted with a tungsten carbide blade. Bust the bricks out from the inside with a hammer.

Insert the framed aluminum tunnel provided in the doggy door kit through the wall from the inside. Go outside and mark the edges protruding through the wall with the felt pen. Remove the tunnel and trim off any excess material with a pair of tin snips.

Apply a generous bead of silicone caulk around the edges of the tunnel frame. Insert the tunnel through the wall from the inside. Secure the corners of the frame to the studs through the frame mounting holes with the screws provided in the kit, using a cordless drill/driver fitted with a Phillips head bit. Clean off any excess caulk with a damp rag.

Go outside and slot the lip of the exterior frame into the tunnel opening. Drill pilot holes through the holes on the inside lip of the exterior frame and through tunnel walls with the bit provided in the kit. Secure the exterior frame to the tunnel with the screws provided. Apply a neat bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the frame.

Mount the security panel provided with the kit to the outside frame with the screws that come in the kit to complete the installation.