homestead.fyi / AUTODOOR

Automatic Door Mount

A plywood backer, 2x2 guides and a bracket for a light-sensing automatic opener, for a 12 x 14 in pop door.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
12 x 14 inPop door
20 x 36 inBacker
2 to 3 hrBuild time
$125.84Materials

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
Front elevation
Front elevation 20 in 39 1/2 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 6 1/2 in 39 1/2 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 20 in 6 1/2 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x230Guide leftflat, 14 in apart
12x230Guide rightflat, 14 in apart
12x414Opener bracketlaid flat, at the top of the guides

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Backer1/2 ply20 x 36screwed round the pop door
Slide door1/2 ply14 x 14slides up in the guides

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x2 x 8 ft
Guide left 30Guide right 30
2x4 x 8 ft
Opener bracket 14

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 1/2 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Backer36 x 20Slide door14 x 14

Shopping list $125.84 checked / $0.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x2x8 furring stripHome Depot1$2.97$2.97see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x8 stud, SPFHome Depot1$4.15$4.15see lumber cutting diagram
15/32 in (1/2 in) sheathing plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$32.26$32.26see sheet cutting diagrams
Automatic coop door opener with timer (Hatching Time Smart)Tractor Supply1$74.99$74.99opener
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 1 lb boxHome Depot1$11.47$11.47
Total before tax$125.84
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Cut the plywood backer 20 x 36 in, the door 14 x 14 in, and two 30 in guides from a 2x2.
  2. Cut the pop door in the coop wall 12 x 14 in, 4 in above the floor. Screw the backer round it on the outside.
  3. Screw the two guides flat to the backer, 14 in apart, with the door between them, so it slides freely.
  4. Screw the 2x4 bracket across the top of the guides, and mount the opener on it with its two screws. Run the opener's cord to the door's top edge.
  5. Set the opener to open at sunrise and close at dusk, and check that the door falls shut on its own weight.

Before you start