[tb582]

I’m thinking about putting one of these: https://plexidors.com/product/plexidor-wall-series/ (size large)

Through a poured concrete wall in my garage. Pics below.

Thoughts on issues with this being an exterior load bearing wall?

The cost to do this, seems better than the cost of an actual door with a custom header etc to carry the load.

My thinking is that since the doggie door is opening cut would be 14 3/8 x 18 3/8 it’s far less an issue than a full sized door.

Thoughts?

 

[Nealtw]

I would center it under a window and you don't have to worry about any extreme loads from above.

 

[lenaitch]

It's going to be a lot of messy, dusty work mining a neat hole through the concrete. Seems like a lot of work - I'd make the dog pay for it, or teach him/her to use the GDO.

 

[ClarenceBauer]

Rent a concrete chain saw it will do the job nice & neat no dust.
Plus it will cut exactly to your spec.

 

[ChuckF.]

Might be easier to build a little set of stairs for the dog.

 

[stadry]

renting a diamond chainsaw's terrific but, in the hands of a newbie, not the best idea impo,,, we own 1 & there's no way i'd let anyone else us it
14" demo saw & cut from both sides,,, cut wet to eliminate dust - overcut & patch to finish

 

[Nealtw]

renting a diamond chainsaw's terrific but, in the hands of a newbie, not the best idea impo,,, we own 1 & there's no way i'd let anyone else us it
14" demo saw & cut from both sides,,, cut wet to eliminate dust - overcut & patch to finish

What are the pit falls the videos make it look like a breeze.

 

[Nealtw]

 

[stadry]

i bet it does,,, chains & bars are extremely expensive in the hands of the inexperienced tho,,, come to think of it, no one in atlanta rents them

 

[Nealtw]

i bet it does,,, chains & bars are extremely expensive in the hands of the inexperienced tho,,, come to think of it, no one in atlanta rents them

At the end, he does say something about a $300 chain. I would be you would have to buy the chain if you could rent the saw.

 

[Windows on Wash]

You do have to buy the chain and rent the saw. They know that the average user is gonna burn it up. No better device for doing a straight cut through though. I keep a search on Ebay for the chain that we use when they come up on sale.

 

[stadry]

understand,,, its rare we can buy any sort of diamond cutting tool on ebay tho as good bladesmiths can't compete ( price ),,, segment matrix is as important as diamond size & shape,,, this might help explain: https://www.mkdiamond.com/home/tec_blade.html

 

[Windows on Wash]

I just keep a search for the part number that our ICS saw uses. It alerts me when one comes on there. I have scored a few good deals.

 

[Nealtw]

I just keep a search for the part number that our ICS saw uses. It alerts me when one comes on there. I have scored a few good deals.

Now that you have told everyone, you will have competition for them.:biggrin2:

 

[Windows on Wash]

I have about 4 chains now....doubt many folks on the DIY forums are buying that saw or chain...but yes. Cat is out of the bag now.

 

[tb582]

I would center it under a window and you don't have to worry about any extreme loads from above.

I assume under the window is a great spot as the header for the window should already be redirecting the weight to the sides of the window and down into the cement - leaving the cement under the window mostly load free, right?

 

[Nealtw]

I assume under the window is a great spot as the header for the window should already be redirecting the weight to the sides of the window and down into the cement - leaving the cement under the window mostly load free, right?

Yes, I doubt it would hurt thru wall done anywhere, but under the window is one place you know you are safe.

 

[tb582]

Thanks - based on some of the convos about around a chain + saw rental perhaps it would be better to hire someone to cut the hole - hopefully it wouldn’t be TOO expensive. Wife says “I’m not qualified to cut through concrete in our new house” lol

 

[Nealtw]

Thanks - based on some of the convos about around a chain + saw rental perhaps it would be better to hire someone to cut the hole - hopefully it wouldn’t be TOO expensive. Wife says “I’m not qualified to cut through concrete in our new house” lol

Most of them have concrete coring in the company name around here.

 

[MTN REMODEL LLC]

Depending on your interest and sost factors, for a small dog door I'd probably use my bosch bulldog drill and a good 1/2 or 3/4 drill to "circle" the cut out and then a sledge to bust it out.

I think I would slightly over size the cutout and fill it in with a vinyl concrete to perfect square......rather than grind out the ridges that multiple drill holes will create.

You may likely run into some rebar that yould have to use a hack saw or recip to remove.

The bulldog is a great tool that you will find multiple uses for thru time....I use it a lot for digging with a spade bit and all sorts of demo work.