Dog Peephole Reveal

So, I buckled down and installed Frank's doggy viewing window a couple weeks ago and it was a great project since it was cheap, quick, and easy!

All that I needed for this project was a 8ft piece of exterior molding,a 45 degree triangle, and some fencing link. Luckily my friend/neighbor had an electric jigsaw and I had the screw gun, wood screws, and woodglue lying around.

First I cut my 8ft piece of molding into 18" lengths with 45degree ends so they could be put together to make my frame. Once I had my wood cut at an angle I used a little wood glue to hold the corners together while I nailed the together to complete my frame.

Next I unrolled my fence link and used snippers to cut it to size. Once I had the fence link all rolled out I screwed it to the frame.

After I got comfortable using the saw on my frame it was on to the fence. I figured it would be best to put the hole in the door so when I decide to move I can just replace the gate rather than the whole fence. I had to measure Frank to get a comfortable viewing height (take it from me I've been in many a home where the peep hole is designed for people of "average height" so I end up all hunched over)then I measured a hole slightly smaller than my frame and cut away!

TA-DA! Framed out personal Frank viewing window! Here is Frank on the left and his partner in crime Beans on the right checking out the new window! Beans prefers to be standing when she looks out the window, and not only is it just right for Frank but his roomie Tahnee can see comfortably out it as well!

Doggy Porthole

My dog Frank(above in doggy icu) was hit by car on August 5th, and after his brush with death and miraculous recovery I have decided that my next diy project should have his comfort in mind. That is why I have decided to install a viewing window in the fence for him.

Now there are a few option in terms of what can be installed for Frank's viewing pleasure, the first(pictured above)is the 'Pet Peek' which seems to be a kind of doggy porthole. This is the most expensive option at a whopping $29.98 plus shipping, however the product claims to include everything needed for install and I will admit the trim around the opening is appealing. What's not appealing is the amount of slobber I can imagine would end up in that acrylic dome. Since the 'Pet Peek' seems to involve the least amount of diy I was on the lookout for what else I could do that would be more budget friendly and let me get my hands a little dirty, that's when I found this. . .

Over at http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/ they had made and then stored this great dog viewing screen in the attic for a bit before installing it in their fence much to the delight of the family dog. Now, this option appears to do the trick and be much more diy while having the added bonus of being easy on the pocket book.

There is one more option, however this seems very labor intensive and quite a bit higher on the skill level. The people at http://dogwindow.weebly.com/ have installed a dog window that goes all around their fence. It's a bargain however since the plans are available for purchase for only $7. I have to admit this option looks like the most fun for Frank, but the open space without any mesh looks like a dog bite insurance claim waiting to happen.

Back to Frank. Here is a healthy Frank before his accident, he is doing much better after 5 weeks of recovery and is ready to resume his role as king of the back yard. There are two places in my yard where I plan to install Frank's window a small side yard fence and the fence that views the driveway and neighbor's side house. I know what you're thinking, the driveway?! What kind of silly dog would want to be able to see the drive way, that would be Frank. To read more about Frank's accident please visit http://www.giveforward.org/frank

Hopefully this weekend I'll tackle this fun project for Frank. Check back to see the results of this just for Frank diy.

Goodbye Window AC Unit!

Okay, I've been MIA from my DIY blog since the summer began, but let me tell you I have still be at the home improvement, in fact I've been doing so much DIY that I haven't had time to blog about it!

One of the first DIY projects of the summer was removing the really, really OLD and no longer functional window ac unit. Unfortunately the window did not have a sash (the part would close if the ac unit weren't there) so I had to buy a new custom sized window for $325 to replace the entire thing! Below you can see the ac unit after the plywood/cardboard surrounding it had been removed. Yes, the only thing separating the elements from me and the inside of my house was some soggy cardboard, not very energy efficient.

My dad was called in to help with this diy as well . . . I know not entirely diy, but removing a 500lb dinosaur and putting in a brand new window was a little out of my skill and strength range.

On the left is what we were dealing with on the outside of the house some pretty intense bolts screwed directly through the vinyl siding and into the exterior of the house.

After removing the original molding from the interior side of the window we them removed the exterior aluminum molding to allow for removal of the unit, which took some serious strength aka my dad, so i stood back and watched while he literally shoved the unit out the window and onto the driveway.


There's my dad looking pleased with his handy-work and slightly upset that I'm taking pictures instead of working!

So, after we got the ac unit out it was time to get out the half a window, with a lot of prying hammering and crow bar-ing it finally came out!

Now it was time to install the new (and expensive) window that I had custom ordered from the same company that installed the rest of the windows. I would tell you what company it was, but they were insane. Not bad customer service but actually certifiably insane, the woman at the front was out of her mind.
And, after doing some wood putty repair on the damaged window sill, installing the molding and painting it, I hung up the wood blinds and put the dining room back together. . .