The flaps on doggie doors often get torn and worn out long before the rest of the doggie door needs replacing. Some manufacturers sell replacement flaps, and sometimes it's possible to make your own replacement flap for a doggie door using old carpeting or a rubber mat.
Instructions
1. First, contact the manufacturer of your doggie door to see if they make replacement flaps. Many do and this is a much cheaper alternative than replacing the whole door. If you have a remote controlled or electronic doggie (or cat) door, you will have to use the original manufacturer's equipment for it to work properly.
2. Unscrew the metal strip holding the doggie door in place. If you got the replacement flap from the manufacturer, the new one will go up the same way the old one came off.
3. Use slightly larger self tapping screws if the screw holes are worn and won't hold the screw in place on a metal door. On a wood door with worn, enlarged screw holes get some rock hard type putty and fill the holes first, letting it dry before reinstalling the metal strip and new doggie door flap.
4. Make your own replacement flap if the manufacturer is out of business or you can't buy a new one. A piece of indoor--outdoor carpeting cut to the same dimensions as the original flap will work. Buy strips of magnets at the hardware store and glue them to the door itself and the corresponding area on the flap to help it stay closed. Rubberized outdoor place mats also work.
5. Have some rigid PVC or plastic sheeting cut to the same dimensions as the old doggie door flap for a more polished look. If possible, use the old flap as a template so you get the same size and put the screw holes in the same places. So long as the thickness of the material is the same you will be able to use the same hinges as the old one.
6. Replace the hinge if your old flap uses a rigid door and hinge instead of a flexible rubber or plastic flap by having the hardware store cut a length of piano hinge to fit the new flap. Piano hinges are long, continuous hinges that can be cut to size and are very sturdy.
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