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.
The result is a clean, factory-finished opening with no rough edges, not a hole drilled into the glass you already have.
What About Double Glazed Doors?
Double glazed doors are more complex but still very achievable. What cannot happen is cutting a hole into the double glazing you already have. That breaks the airtight gas seal between the panes, and the glass is toughened, so it shatters the moment you cut it.
So the job is a new unit instead. We measure your window, order a brand-new 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?
Prices start from $170. Final pricing depends on the glass type, the door size, and the cat door model you choose, we provide a firm quote after the on-site measure.
How Long Does Installation Take?
Most single glazed cat door installations are completed in two to three hours. Double glazed units require the new unit to be fabricated first, typically two to five working days from measure to installation.
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.
