Letting your cat in and out without getting up to open the door every five minutes is one of life's small victories. But if your home has glass doors, ranch sliders, back doors, or laundry doors, fitting a cat door is more involved than a timber door installation. Here is exactly what you need to know.
Can You Actually Fit a Cat Door in a Glass Door?
Yes, but you cannot drill into toughened glass after it has been made. Toughened safety glass will shatter if cut or drilled once tempered. The way around this is straightforward: we cut a new pane of glass with the pet door aperture already cut into it before toughening, then install the new pane in place of your existing glass.
For suitable existing single glazing (not toughened or laminated), we can instead cut the opening with the pane in place. We assess the glass and the proposed opening before confirming the method.
What About Double Glazed Doors?
For an existing double-glazed door, the pet-door opening must be made as part of a new sealed unit. We do not cut into the existing unit because that would break its seal.
So the job is a new unit instead. We assess your existing double-glazed window or door and its frame, then order a custom double glazed unit with the hole pre-cut and factory-sealed, take the old pane out and install the new unit with the cat door in it. It is the same principle as the toughened glass above: the opening is made before the unit is, not after.
What Types of Cat Doors Are Available?
Microchip cat doors, these read your cat's existing microchip and only unlock for your pet. No collar required. Prevents neighbourhood cats entering your home. We install SureFlap microchip cat doors, which are the market-leading option in NZ. Our most popular choice.
Magnetic cat doors, a magnet on your cat's collar triggers the door to unlock. Affordable and reliable. Less secure than microchip if stray cats are an issue.
Manual four-way locking cat doors, can be set to in-only, out-only, fully open, or locked. Good for controlling your cat's movements at night.
Manual flap doors, the simplest and most affordable option. No locking mechanism. Best for low-traffic areas or indoor-only use.
What Size Cat Door Do I Need?
Standard cat doors suit most domestic cats. If you have a larger cat or a small dog, we can accommodate a larger aperture. We take your pet's measurements at the quote stage to ensure the door fits comfortably.
Can You Install Dog Doors in Glass Too?
Yes. The same process applies for dog doors, we cut a new glass pane with the aperture to suit your dog's size. Dog doors are available in standard and large sizes. We can advise on the right size at the measure stage.
How Much Does a Cat Door Installation Cost in Tauranga?
A basic cat door supplied and fitted into suitable existing single glazing (not toughened or laminated) starts from $170. This offer does not cover microchip models, dog doors, toughened glass or new double-glazed sealed units. Those jobs are quoted separately, with a firm price confirmed before any work begins.
How Long Does Installation Take?
If your existing glass is suitable, fitting may be possible in one visit. Toughened glass and double-glazed sealed units need new glass made with the opening. We confirm fabrication and installation timing for your job.
What Brands Do You Install?
We install SureFlap microchip cat doors as our primary recommendation, they are the most reliable microchip option available in NZ and carry a manufacturer warranty. We also install PetSafe and other brands depending on customer preference and budget. At the quote stage we will advise on the best option for your door type and pet.
