Matt Wilson has taken over ownership of Mile High Dog Doors in the Denver, Colorado area. Mile High Dog Doors is an authorized installer/dealer for Hale Pet Door and can also install other brands of pet doors as needed.
Matt serves the southern end of the Denver metro area including Aurora, Greenwood Village, Parker, Lone Tree and Castle Rock.
You can read more about Matt and the services he offers at his website, http://www.milehighdogdoors.com/ or give him a call at 720-670-0913.
When our primary metal supplier suddenly went bankrupt last month, it left us without enough material to manufacture pet doors on our regular schedule. There was a truck on its way to us with an ample supply of metal when the bankruptcy occurred, and the truck was recalled.
The Hale Pet Door for doors is constructed with 3 different metal shapes
Because our pet doors are made with several different metal shapes, our new suppliers had to first construct the dies and test run material to make sure that the material would meet our high standards. We were fortunate that these companies were willing to work with us, and we started getting material on a sporadic schedule—creating the variable deliveries that you may have experienced.
We understand the difficulty this situation may have created for you with your customers and appreciate your patience. We have several new metal suppliers now in place. There’s a rumor that our original primary supplier has been purchased, so we’re hoping that we’ll soon be contacted about receiving the metal that was on its way to us before too long.
As our production schedules get back to normal, we want to thank you for your business and hope our manufacturing slowdown didn’t inconvenience you too much.
Sometimes dog door placement is obvious. There’s a space in the wall where the pet door will lead onto a deck or porch. In other instances the interior walls are filled with cabinets or furniture in the area that would be most convenient for the dog to use the dog door. The only clear space leads to a several foot drop off from the floor to the ground outside.
A dog door ramp lets you place the dog door in unconventional locations
Hale Pet Door has a solution for that. Our custom pet ramps are designed to fit every situation to help pets access their pet doors. Every situation is different, so we make our pet ramps to solve the specific access problem your customer’s pet faces.
Constructed of strong yet light high density black polyethylene HDPE, our pet ramps are made to withstand all weather conditions. HDPE is environmentally stabilized for harsh sun (UV stable) and will not rot, swell, splinter or delaminate when exposed to humidity or water. This material was developed for the marine industry. Its durable matte-textured surface on both sides is easy to clean, is scratch resistant and never needs refinishing.
Hale Pet Door Pet Ramps come complete with outdoor carpet for a pleasant appearance and a non-slip surface for your pet. The carpet also keeps the black ramp surface from getting too hot for the pet’s paws during the sunny months.
Because every ramp application may require different heights, Hale Pet Door will make the ramp the right size for your customer’s needs. Take a look at our standard sizes to get ideas how ramps can be customized here.
Hale Pet Door Pet Ramps can help your bottom line while helping your customers help their pets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Unique Components Set Hale Pet Door’s Wall Model Apart
While I, naturally, believe that Hale Pet Doors are the best pet doors on the market today, there are two parts that set our wall pet doors apart from the others: the flashing and the raincap.
Flashing under the tunnel keeps water out of the wall
It seems that flashing to keep water out of the wall would be a standard part of every pet door, but it ain’t necessarily so. Proper installation means good caulking around the exterior pet door frame and the house, but the flashing gives another layer of protection to keep water getting into the wall. Check out Step 15 of our online installation instructions for more detailed information.
The Hale Pet Door rain cap keeps water out of the dog door
While a good caulk seal at the top of the exterior pet door frame keeps rain and moisture from getting behind the exterior pet door frame, there are times when a little extra can help when the rain runs down the side of the house where the pet door is installed. The raincap comes standard with all wall pet doors. Generally, if the pet door is installed under a porch roof or other protected place, it’s usually not necessary to install the raincap. But if the dog door is on a wall under a roof and the homeowner regularly hoses down the house walls, it’s a good idea to install the raincap to keep the water out of the pet door. It’s a very simple installation on the exterior pet door frame as it hooks right on top of the frame.
These two simple pieces of bent sheet metal can make a big difference in keeping moisture out of the pet door and the wall where it’s installed.
What’s your experience with these “extras” provided with Hale Pet Door wall models?
Pet Door installations in French Doors are versatile and attractive
Install a Pet Door in a French Door
Installing a dog or cat door in a true French Door can be an attractive and versatile location for the pet entrance. Because the pet door can be installed at different levels from the floor, it can better fit the pet’s leg length which is great for short-legged as well as tall dogs.
Get the Glass Out
One of the most challenging parts of this installation is removing the removable molding from the door in order to remove the glass without breaking it or damaging the door. After cutting the seal of paint or varnish with a razor knife, the standard operating procedure was to pry the molding up with a putty knife until the molding could be removed. For more details see Step 7 of our Installation instructions
Use a Multi-Tool
There’s a new kid on the power tool block that makes quick work of this part of the job. The Multi-Tool is an oscillating tool with changeable heads for different purposes.
Once you determine that you have a true French Door with wood stops, you can use the Multi-Tool with a fine tooth blade to cut through the adhesive that holds the molding on the glass. Use window cleaner to keep the glass wet, so it doesn’t get scratched. After you’ve cut through that adhesive, you can carefully use the Multi-Tool along the frame side of the molding to break that adhesive seal as well.
There’s probably a myriad of ways to use this handy tool that is now readily available in a wide range of prices. Here’s a helpful article that compares several brands ProTool Reviews
Thanks to Eric Baldwin of Desert Star Pet Doors Desert Star Pet Doors.com for sharing this installation tip.
If you have found a new tool (or a new way to use an old tool) to help you install pet doors, please comment below with your tip.
Best Product for Installing Carpet in Pet Door Wall Tunnels
Over the years, I’ve discovered that different installers like various products to adhere the carpet to the metal tunnels for wall model pet doors. And unlike most situations, in this case the best solution is the cheapest.
Because the Hale Pet Door flaps close so securely, it’s important to use a mastic that doesn’t outgas and potentially harm the pet that uses the pet door. Silicone is a great sealant, but unfortunately, creates toxic gases as it cures.
The best product that I’ve found is the most inexpensive latex caulk that you can buy. It dries quickly and completely, so you know that your installation is finished before you leave the job. It’s non-toxic as it cures and when it’s dry, so there’s no danger of pet inhalation.
So leave the expensive caulk for sealing the outside frame at the top and sides to the exterior house wall, and your customers’ pets and your bottom line will thank you.
For detailed installation instructions for the wall model pet door including pictures and diagrams, visit the halepetdoor.com website installation page. Specific instructions for attaching the carpet are included in step 21.
It’s true that Hale Pet Door is committed to selling the highest quality, easiest to install pet doors around the world. We know that you are committed to the highest quality of service for your customers and that is why you are a Hale Pet Door dealer.
We’re all in this to make a profit, however, and your dealer discount is the quickest way for you to increase your cash flow. When you purchase a Hale Pet Door for your customer, you’ll receive your discount which will give you an immediate profit when your customer pays full price for the pet door.
Quick and Easy Ordering on HalePetDoor.com
When you log in to halepetdoor.com with your dealer log in, you’ll be on your way to instant profits. You can fill in your customer’s name and address, so we’ll have their information in the rare case that there’s a warranty issue with their Hale Pet Door. You can also note a P.O. number for your job tracking.
If you don’t yet have a log-in, please call Mysia at 888-293-6411, and she’ll get you set up.
You can have the pet door shipped to you or directly to your customer – it’s your choice.
So, start improving your bottom line today by ordering Hale Pet Door products for your customers.
Four colors of Starboard covers coordinate with our four frame colors
Although Lexan® polycarbonate covers had been the standard Hale Pet Door security covers for years, in May 2010 marine grade polymer was added to the cover choices.
After six months of extensive testing in all types of climates, we determined that this marine grade polymer material was superior to polycarbonate because of its scratch resistance and color choices.
Lexan® security covers are still available in the standard translucent gray color.
The marine grade polymer colors are black, dolphin gray, sanshade tan and white. These color choices help the customer to match or contrast with their wall colors and are designed to coordinate with the dark bronze, brushed aluminum, Arizona beige and white frame colors.
Getting a Handle on Security
Another improvement for the security covers is the new handle. Although the finger hole opening was performing well, we discovered these attractive pewter colored metal handles, tried them with great success and have made them standard on all the security covers.
Some Things Should Stay the Same
The positive action pin lock that has been standard for years works so well that we haven’t made any changes. We’ve been very pleased with this lock’s performance. Our customers are happy with it with its position on the frame and the positive action that safely secures the cover.
If you would like to order a new Starboard cover for your sample door or if one of your customers would like an upgraded cover, please click here to order.
Hale Pet Door Dealer News 