Tips & Tricks by Bill Hale–Screen Pet Door Stabilizer Bar

The screen stabilizer bar was created to support screen pet doors. Because the top edge of the screen pet door is not supported, some screen dog doors need extra stabilization to support the weight of the screen pet door.

Hale Pet Door Spreader Bar Kit
Screen Dog Door Spreader Bar Kit Components

The screen pet door stabilizer bar kit consists of a 5/8” by 5/16” spreader bar, two aluminum clips and two metal retainers. The spreader bar will be cut to fit the inside frame of the screen door. The aluminum clips attach to the frame of the screen door; the metal retainers hold the spreader bar to the top of the screen pet door.

When a Hale Pet Door screen pet door is size Large or larger, the stabilizer bar should be used. If the dogs that will be using the screen dog door are very active, even if they’re using a smaller than Large screen pet door, the stabilizer bar will hold the screen pet door in place and prevent damage to the screen.

The Stabilizer Bar Kit adds rigidity and strength to the screen door, so your customers can enjoy their Hale Pet Door Screen Dog Door for years to come. There’s more information here.

Screen Pet Doors let the Dogs (and Cats) Out!

How to Install a Screen Pet Door

The Hale Pet Door screen dog door is the easiest pet door to install. In a few simple steps you can give your customers’ pet the freedom to romp in the yard while their owners enjoy their bug free outdoor space.

Hale Pet Door Screen Dog Door
Enjoy the breeze while your pets enjoy the yard

Get the Right Size Pet Door

Like all pet doors, sizing is important. It’s always better to get a larger dog door than to force a large dog to duck through a too short pet door. Short-legged dogs can also pose special problems, so make sure the dog will be able to clear the bottom of the screen door without jumping. For more details on sizing pet doors click here.

Remove the Screen Door

Take the screen door down by removing at the hinges or lifting up and out if it’s a slider. You may have to pry the wheels at the bottom up with a flat blade.

Remove the Screen where the Pet Door will be Installed

Carefully pull the screen spline with a needle nose pliers or pry it with a flat screwdriver (taking care not to damage the door or spline) to release the screen. Remove only enough spline so the screen can be removed from the screen pet door area plus a half inch.

Pull the screen out of the screen door frame.

Slide the Screen Pet Door onto the Screen Door Frame

The screen pet door should be flush against the bottom and side frames of the screen door.  Make sure the pet door is adjusted properly and operates smoothly while in position.

Fasten the Screen Pet Door to the Screen Door

Drill through the sides and bottom of the inner pet door frame and screen frame with the 7/64” drill bit. Insert the #6 screws with a Phillips screwdriver.  Be sure the screws will not interfere with the operation of the screen door.

Attach the Screen to the Pet Door

Lay the screen material over the pet door.   Pull the screen material taut.  To hold the screen fabric around the pet door, insert the screen spline with a flat headed screwdriver or screen spline roller.

Remove Excess Screen Material

Cut away any excess screen spline with a razor blade or scissors.  Cut away the excess screen material with a razor blade being careful not to cut into the screen spline or the finish of the pet door.

Reinstall the Screen Door or Screen Window into its Original Position

Just install the screen door by reattaching the hinges or fitting it into the opening.

Adjust the Screen  Pet Door Magnets

After reinstalling the screen door or window, adjust the magnets in the pet door upward or downward if needed. The magnets are pressure fitted and can be adjusted downward by tapping lightly with the handle of your screwdriver. They can be adjusted upward by twisting a flat headed screwdriver below the magnet between the magnet and frame. Be sure to adjust the magnets upward from the inside edge of the pet door so as not to mar the door frame finish.

These are abbreviated instructions to show you how easy it is to install a Hale Pet Door Screen Pet Door. Please see the complete screen pet door installation instructions here.

Have you installed a screen dog door? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.