Are you considering installing a doggy door, cat door, or general pet door in your glass sliding door or window? It may seem like a minor update, but it can significantly alter your daily routine. Your pet gets more freedom, and you stop doing the constant door-opening dance.
Before placing an order, it’s helpful to understand how pet doors work with glass, their costs, and why proper installation is crucial. Many people are surprised to learn that installing a pet door in glass is not as simple as cutting a hole in the existing panel.
| Pet Door Type | Typical Price Range | Installation Time |
|---|---|---|
| Small Pet Door (cats and small dogs) | 550 to 650 dollars | Under 1 hour once glass is ready |
| Medium Pet Door (small to medium dogs) | 600 to 750 dollars | Under 1 hour once glass is ready |
| Large Pet Door (medium to large dogs) | 750 to 900 dollars | Under 1 hour once glass is ready |
| Custom Size Pet Door (depends on glass size) | 900 dollars and above | Under 1 hour once glass is ready |
Can You Cut a Hole in the Existing Glass of your Sliding Door?
In short, no.
Most glass sliding doors in Australian homes are made with toughened glass, which cannot be cut once it has been manufactured.
Here is why:
- Toughened glass is heat-treated to make it stronger
- The heat process changes the structure of the glass
- Once toughened, the glass becomes too brittle to cut
- If anyone tries to drill or cut it, the entire panel shatters instantly into tiny pieces
This is a safety feature, not a flaw. Toughened glass breaks into small squares, reducing the risk of serious injury. Because of this, the only safe and legal way to install a pet door in glass is to replace the panel entirely.
Why can I not just cut a hole in the existing glass?
Most sliding doors for homes (which are installed when the home is built) are made with toughened glass. This means that if we try to cut toughed glass it will simply shatter into many pieces. Toughened glass is heat treated which increases its strength. It causes it to become more brittle, thus upon impact or cutting, it will shatter.
Therefore, you are best to replace the whole panel of glass, with the hole cut out of it. It then gets toughened. This ensures all safety standards are met. But most importantly that the door is strong, especially with an animal that will be entering and exiting through it.
Where can I place the hole for the pet door?
Common install locations
• The sliding panel of your glass door
• The fixed panel of your glass door
• A low-lit window near the floor
• A higher window for cat-only access
Cats are comfortable with higher entry points. Dogs usually need the pet door placed lower.
Essentially this decision is up to you, but there are a few requirements that must be adhered to. Firstly, the perimeter of the hole has to be a minimum 100mm from the bottom and closest side edge of the glass. This ensures there is enough length and width from the edges to reduce the chance of breaking.
You can place the doggy door in a sliding panel of a sliding door, or the fixed panel of the sliding door. This, in our experience, tends to be the most common choice for most customers. However, you can put the hole in a window up higher if you have a cat, but the same rules apply as above.
Additionally, you can put a hole in a low lite window that is a fixed window, with the same rules above applying. This can be suited for a dog or a cat.
How the New Glass Panel is Made
Installing a pet door in glass is a simple process once you understand the steps. Your existing panel is not altered. Instead, a brand new piece of glass is manufactured for you.
It happens in four stages.
1. Measure:
A glazier visits your home to accurately measure your door or window.
2. Cutout:
A new glass panel is custom-cut to size. While the glass is still in float form, the supplier cuts a perfect circular or square hole for the pet door.
3. Toughening:
The new panel, complete with a cutout, goes through the toughening oven to meet safety standards.
4. Installation:
The panel is delivered, fitted into your door frame, and the pet door is installed securely in the cutout.
The new panel looks exactly like your old one, but it is now designed to accommodate a pet door safely.
What Affects the Cost of Installing a Doggy Door
Several factors impact pricing, and understanding them helps avoid surprises.
Main cost variables
• The size of your glass door or window
• Whether the pet door is supplied by you or the installer
• The thickness of the glass
• The type of pet door you choose
• Whether existing frame rubbers can be reused
• How easily the panel can be removed and reinstalled
Typical pricing
For a standard glass sliding door, ranging from approximately 2000 x 700 mm to 2000 x 1200 mm, you can expect a price of $550 to $900.
This usually includes:
• custom glass panel
• cutout
• pet door
• installation
Larger panels cost more. Smaller panels cost less. If you supply your own pet door or plan to install the glass yourself, the price may adjust.
Where Can I Purchase a Doggy Door/Pet Door From?
Most glass and glazing companies should be able to order glass to size with the doggy door hole cut out in the glass. Often these companies can provide the doggy door/pet door for you, or you can purchase one yourself from places like Bunnings.
At Haines Glass we regularly measure up dog doors/pet doors for our customers. Then we get the glass cut to size, with the doggy door hole cut out, then have the glass toughened all by our supplier and then we install with our range of Pet-Tek pet doors.
What Type of Glass is Used for a Doggy Door?
Typically, for a residential home 6mm Clear Float that has been toughened will go into sliding doors, occasionally if in a window, it may need to be 4mm Clear Float that has been toughened.
Common install locations
• The sliding panel of your glass door
• The fixed panel of your glass door
• A low-lit window near the floor
• A higher window for cat-only access
Cats are comfortable with higher entry points. Dogs usually need the pet door placed lower.
How much does a doggy door cost?
There are a few things that adds up to the cost of a pet door;
- The size of the glass sliding door; the larger the door increases the price
- Whether you supply your own doggy door/cat door/ pet door or we do
- If you want to try and install the glass yourself or have our qualified tradesmen do it for you
- Whether your door needs all the rubber replaced or existing rubber can be re-used
Let’s give you a rough guideline on price wise for a sliding door. Ranging in size from anywhere from 2000x700mm to 2000x1200mm, you are looking at anywhere from $550-$900. This is inclusive of if we supply the glass with the hole, pet door and install the door. The smaller the height and width of the door, the smaller the price and vice versa with a larger height and width. Additionally if you refer to the points above you can help modify the costs if need be.
Choosing the Right Size Pet Door
Your pet needs enough room to move through the door comfortably. A door that is too small can be stressful, and a door that is too large can make your panel structurally difficult to manufacture.
General size recommendations
• Cats: small or medium
• Small dogs: small or medium
• Medium to large dogs: large
During your measure, your installer will help you choose the right size based on your animal.
How Long the Installation Takes
The full timeline varies depending on how quickly the new glass can be manufactured.
The usual timing
• Glass manufacturing: a few business days
• Installation: usually under one hour
Once installed, the pet door is ready to use straight away.
Why Professional Installation Matters
Pet doors in glass need to meet safety standards and must be fitted correctly for long term durability.
Benefits of using a professional
• Exact measurements for a perfect fit
• Safety compliance with toughened glass requirements
• Correct sealing around the pet door
• Strong, stable installation
• No risk of damaging your door frame or rollers
• Protection of product and workmanship warranties
A poorly installed pet door can rattle, leak or place stress on the door frame. A professional avoids all of these issues.
Ready to Give Your Pet More Freedom?
A professionally installed pet door is one of those upgrades that feels small but makes life noticeably easier. Your pet gets to come and go comfortably, your sliding door stays safe and compliant, and you enjoy the convenience every single day.
If you are thinking about adding a doggy door or cat door to your glass sliding door or window, we can walk you through the whole process. From the first measure to the final installation, everything is made simple and stress free.
Reach out today to organise a free measure and quote.
You can call our team, send a quick message through the website or get in touch on social media. Once your glass is ready, we will install your new pet door with care, precision and a perfect finish every time.
Give your pet the freedom they deserve and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a professional installation.
