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Sydney paws pet doors background image A clear pet door fitted low in the fixed panel of a glass sliding door

Dog Doors In Glass, Sliding and Patio Doors

A dog door fitted into glass gives your pet the run of the yard without leaving a door open all day. We supply and install pet doors across Sydney into sliding glass doors and patio doors, stacker and bi-fold doors, fixed glass panels, side lights, French doors and security screens.

Whatever door you have, the first question is the same: can a pet door go into it, and does the glass have to be replaced to do it? Most of the time it does not. Find your door type below, or send us a photo and we will tell you.
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What type of door do you have?

Start with the door you have. Pick the one below that matches it.

Whether we cut the panel you already have or fit a new one comes down to the glass in your door and the size of your dog. Laminated glass with a small or medium dog is usually a cut, on site, in one visit. Toughened glass, or a large dog, needs a new panel with the opening already in it.

Not sure which you have? Send us a photo of the corner of your glass and we will tell you, or call 0421 575 229.
A pet door fitted in a black-framed sliding door that opens to a lawn and outdoor table
Sliding and Patio Doors
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A clear pet door in a glass panel beside a pool fence
Fixed Panels and Side Lights
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Clear pet door in the lower pane of French doors looking onto a garden
French Doors
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A black timber door and a black security screen door, each fitted with a white pet door
Security Screens
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Dog doors for sliding glass and patio doors

The most common installation we do in Sydney, and the one people worry about most, because the door has to keep sliding afterwards. It does. We have been fitting pet doors into sliding and patio doors since 2011.

Into the sliding panel

Our pet doors use a slimline frame designed to pass between the glass panels as the door runs, and they need a gap of 6 to 7mm to clear properly. Where the gap is tighter, we can modify the frame or fit a door stopper so the door still runs smoothly and the pet door is never caught.

Into the fixed panel instead

Most sliding and patio doors have one panel that slides and one that does not. Putting the pet door into the fixed panel takes it out of the moving part of the door altogether: nothing to catch, no change to how the door runs and no restriction on how far it opens. Where the fixed panel suits your pet, it is usually the better installation, and we will say so.
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0421 575 229
brown beagle dog walking through glass dog door

Dog doors for fixed glass panels and side lights

A fixed panel is a pane that does not open: the still half of a sliding door, a side light beside your front or back door, or a run of full height glazing. It is often the tidiest place to put a pet door.

Nothing moves, so there is no mechanism to work around, no clearance to allow for and no effect on how the door itself operates. If you have a side light next to the door your dog already waits at, that is very often the answer. Have a look at the gallery of finished installations.
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Stacker, bi-fold, French doors and security screens

Stacker and bi-fold doors

Stacker doors slide several panels back on top of each other and bi-fold doors concertina back against the wall. Both can take a pet door, and the approach is the same in each case: we look for a panel that stays put, normally the fixed end panel on a stacker, or the single access door on a bi-fold. Keeping the opening out of the moving panels leaves the mechanism working exactly as it did. Where every panel moves, we assess the track, the weight of the panel and the glass type first, and some bi-fold panels are too narrow to take a large pet door without compromising the frame.

French doors

A pair of hinged glass doors, usually with a large single pane in each. Because they are hinged rather than sliding there is no track or clearance to design around, so the installation is generally straightforward. There is more on our French door dog doors page.

Security screens and flyscreens

Where a glass door has a security screen or flyscreen in front of it, the job needs two openings that line up, with both doors still moving independently of each other. We install into Crimsafe and similar security screens as well as standard flyscreen, and we fit both openings in the same visit. If your job is screen only, with no glass involved, our screen dog doors page covers that.

Can your glass be cut, or does the panel need replacing?

Whichever door you have, there are two ways to fit a pet door into glass.

  1. Cut an opening into the glass you already have.
  2. Replace the whole panel with a new toughened panel, manufactured with the opening already cut.

Which one you need comes down to two things: the type of glass in your door, and the size of your dog. If you have laminated glass and a small or medium dog, we can usually cut the existing panel on site. It is faster, cleaner and cheaper, and you keep the glass you already paid for. If you have toughened glass, or a large or extra large dog, you will need a replacement panel, because toughened glass cannot be cut once it has been toughened.

Most of the enquiries we take come from people who have been told the panel has to be replaced. Often it does not. If you are not sure what you have, send us a photo of your glass and we will tell you.

We cut glass on site

Cutting a pet door opening into a panel that is already installed, standing upright in its frame, in someone’s home, is a specialised job. A glazier is trained to replace glass, and can cut a sheet laying flat on a factory bench, with the right table and the right conditions. Cutting that same glass vertically, in a frame, in a hallway, with furniture either side and no second attempt, is a different skill, and not every installer or glazier is set up for it. Recommending a replacement is the safe commercial choice for a business that cannot cut. It is also the more expensive option for you. We have specialised in cutting glass on site since 2011 and we carry the tools to identify, score, separate and finish a panel in a single visit.

Is it safe to cut laminated glass?

We hear this one constantly: “you cannot safely cut laminated glass.” That is not correct. Laminated glass is made with a clear interlayer bonded between two sheets, so if the panel cracks the pieces generally stay stuck to that interlayer rather than falling out of the frame. It is the same property that makes laminated glass good for security.

None of that makes it unbreakable. Laminated glass can still crack, usually from one of three things:

  • Sudden impact. A child kicking a ball at the door, someone knocking into the glass, heavy pressure on the panel.
  • Heat and prolonged direct sunlight, particularly a west facing door through a Sydney summer.
  • Poor preparation of the cut edge, which is the one nobody mentions and the one that comes down entirely to the installer.

Prepared properly, a cut laminated panel is sound. Prepared badly it will fail. Laminated glass we cut on site: 6.38mm, 6.50mm, Hush laminated, 8.38mm, 8.50mm, 10.38mm, 10.50mm, 12.38mm and 12.50mm. Price varies with the thickness of the glass.

When we will not cut your glass

Not every panel can be cut, and being able to cut glass also means knowing when not to. Before any work starts our technician looks at the size of your dog, movement in the glass, how much direct sunlight the panel takes, whether the door sits in a high impact area such as a main thoroughfare or a children’s play area, and whether the panel is oversized. If our technician judges the cut unsafe, we will not carry it out. We would rather lose the job than take your money for an installation likely to fail, and we will tell you what we would do instead, which is usually a replacement panel.

For a free quote on a dog door in glass, call 0421 575 229 or get a quote online.
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How do I know which glass I have?
Dog doors for Sliding doors with toughened glass
Dog doors for Sliding doors with toughened glass
Dog doors for Sliding doors with toughened glass
Dog doors for Sliding doors with toughened glass

Most toughened glass carries a small compliance stamp in one of the bottom corners, showing the manufacturer, the AS/NZS 2208 safety standard and the thickness of the glass.

Laminated panels are not always stamped, but they often carry a label reading something like “Laminated Safety Glass 6.38mm”. Our technicians also carry laser identification tools, so we can confirm what you have on site in seconds rather than guessing at it.
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0421 575 229

Toughened glass: replacement, not cutting

There is one rule with toughened glass and it has no exceptions. Toughened glass cannot be cut once it has been toughened. Attempting to cut or drill it will shatter the entire panel. So if your door is toughened, the pet door arrives in a new panel: we measure your existing glass, have a new toughened panel manufactured with the opening already cut, then remove the old glass and fit the new one. That costs more and takes longer, both for the same reason, because you are buying a complete new panel and it has to be made before anyone can install it. There are also limits on how close the opening can sit to the edge of a toughened panel, which rules out some combinations of door and pet size.

Large and extra large dogs

For large and extra large dogs we generally recommend a toughened replacement panel, whatever is in the door now. A big dog pushes a lot of weight through a pet door several times a day: constant movement, pressure and impact around the opening. The bigger the dog, the bigger the opening has to be, and the more glass comes out of the panel. We would rather specify the glass for the job than cut a panel that was never meant to carry it.

How we measure and assess

Every installation starts with an assessment of the door you already have: the type of glass, how it is fixed, how the door operates, how much sun the panel takes, and whether your council requires toughened glass for that opening, which applies in some bushfire prone areas. We measure and recommend before we quote, and the quote reflects the door in front of us rather than a standard price for a standard job. The same approach applies across our dog door installations in timber, screen and French doors, and to cat doors in glass.
beige background with paw prints

Glass dog doors we have fitted for large dogs
An extra large dog door in a sliding glass door in a lounge room
A German Shepherd walking through an extra large dog door in a glass sliding door
A German Shepherd sitting beside an extra large dog door in a glass sliding door
A German Shepherd sitting inside beside an extra large dog door in a glass sliding door

Installations across Sydney for larger breeds, where the opening and the glass both have to be specified for the weight going through them.
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0421 575 229

Laminated or toughened glass, which is actually better?

Neither. They are built for different jobs.

“You can only have toughened glass” is not true

Where a door or side panel requires safety glass under the Australian standards, both Grade A toughened and Grade A laminated glass comply. AS/NZS 2208 is the standard that sets what counts as a safety glazing material, and laminated glass meets it. Toughened is not the only compliant option.

Laminated glass Toughened glass
Can a pet door be cut into it? Yes, on site No, the panel must be replaced
When it breaks Stays bonded to the interlayer Shatters into small blunt pieces
Security Hard to get through, the interlayer holds it together Leaves the frame in one go
Noise insulation Better Standard
UV transmission Significantly reduced Standard
Impact strength Good Much stronger than annealed glass
Best suited to Small and medium dogs Large and extra large dogs
Cost for a pet door Lower, you keep your glass Higher, a whole new panel

So which one should you have?

A question we get often: “we are in a new build so the glass is toughened, that must be better, isn’t it?” Not necessarily. Toughened is common in new builds because it is what the builder specified for that application, not because it beats laminated across the board. If you already have good quality laminated glass, do not assume that swapping it for toughened is an upgrade. We look at the glass you have, the dog you have and what the installation actually needs, then tell you which option suits.

For a free quote on a pet door in laminated or toughened glass, call 0421 575 229 or get a quote online.
beige background with paw prints

Glass Dog Door Gallery
A clear pet door fitted low in the fixed panel of a glass sliding door
A round pet door cut into a frosted glass door beside timber cladding
A clear pet door fitted in a silver-framed sliding glass door opening onto a timber deck
A Sydney Paws installer kneeling at a glass sliding door as the clear pet door is fitted
See all our installs

Choosing Sydney Paws Petdoor means benefiting from our expertise, dedication to safety, and our promise of a hassle-free installation process. We take pride in our workmanship and the quality of our products, offering up to a 3-year warranty for added peace of mind.
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0421 575 229

FAQs Got Questions About Installing a Dog Door in Glass?

Yes. Toughened glass cannot be cut once it has been toughened, so we replace your existing panel with a new toughened panel, manufactured with the pet door opening already cut. It is a good option for large and energetic dogs.

They are built for different jobs and neither is automatically better. Toughened is stronger against impact and breaks into small blunt fragments, but it cannot be cut once it has been made. Laminated stays bonded together when it cracks, insulates better against noise and UV, and can be cut on site. Which one suits you depends on your door, your dog and your priorities.

Not always. If your door contains laminated glass and meets the correct safety and thickness standards, we can usually cut directly into the existing panel onsite. This is a quicker and more cost-effective option. If the glass is toughened, it cannot be cut once manufactured. In that case we remove the original panel and replace it with a custom-cut toughened glass panel that includes the dog door.

Absolutely. Our dog doors for sliding glass doors are designed for seamless integration. If needed, we can modify door frames or install stoppers to maintain smooth operation.

We offer glass dog doors suitable for dogs of all sizes, from small breeds to large working dogs. The best option will depend on your glass type, door layout, and your pet’s measurements. If you are unsure which size suits your home and dog, contact us and our team will guide you through the options.

If your door has laminated glass that meets safety and thickness requirements, we can often cut the panel onsite, which makes the installation quicker and more cost-effective. For toughened glass, which cannot be cut, we measure and replace the panel with a custom fabricated one. That takes longer, depending on glass availability and scheduling.

Yes, we supply and install microchip pet doors for glass panels. These offer added security by only allowing access for your registered pet.

Yes. All installations include a 3-year workmanship warranty, and our products are backed by manufacturer guarantees for long-term peace of mind.

No. Our pet doors for sliding doors use a slimline frame that passes between the glass panels, and they need a gap of 6 to 7mm to clear. Where the gap is tighter we modify the frame or fit a door stopper so the door still runs smoothly. If your door has a sliding security screen as well, we line up an opening in both.

Not always. A glazier is trained to replace glass, and can cut a sheet laying flat on a factory bench. Cutting a panel that is standing upright in its frame in your home is a different skill, and not every glazier or installer is set up for it. It is the reason so many customers are told the whole panel has to be replaced.

Not necessarily. Toughened glass is common in new builds because it is what the builder specified for that application. Laminated glass has real advantages of its own on noise, UV and security, and it can be cut on site, which toughened cannot. If you already have good quality laminated glass, replacing it with toughened is not automatically an upgrade.
Get a Quote
0421 575 229
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CUSTOMER

TESTOIMONIALS

Read why pet owners love our doors and the freedom they provide.
Dog Door In Glass -
Excellent
Sydney Paws Petdoor5.0
Based on 374 reviews
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Dog Door In Glass -
Stephanie Lumanglas
5 days ago
Alex and Allan were exceptional. Great customer service and the door was made and installed in less than a week. The door was made with colored glass that was perfectly matched to our existing Panels. Their workmanship and quality, as well as understanding their customer needs was the best that I had experienced. Alex was also able to provide us with training and lots of helpful advice in not only training our puppy to use the door, but also how we are to train him in all aspects of his life. By the end of the day (the day the door was installed) our puppy was already confident in using the door to exit our house. I cannot think Alex and Alan enough. They have made welcoming our new Family member so much easier.
Response from the owner:Thank you Stephanie, what a wonderful review! Colour-matched glass to your existing panels is the kind of detail we take real pride in, so it means a lot that the workmanship stood out. Love that your pup was confidently heading out the door by the end of the day. Helping you settle a new family member in is exactly why we do this. Thank you again!
Dog Door In Glass -
Shihab Azimullah
5 days ago
This is the second time we have used Alexs services. He installed a pet door in one of my sliding glass doors a few months ago. Got him back to do the same for another door. He know what he is doing, knows the product and provides helpful hints. I have recommended him to family members.
Response from the owner:Thanks Shihab, great to have you back! Second door done and glad the first one has been serving you well. We really appreciate you recommending us to your family too. Thank you!
Dog Door In Glass -
Rima E
3 weeks ago
Really happy with our experience with Sydney Paws! Their pricing was competitive, they were transparent and clearly knew their stuff. The replacement glass is great quality. Allen was friendly, professional and did a fantastic job with the installation. Alex was also great to deal with and very responsive. They were really accommodating with the installation date, making sure we could have it done before we left for our holiday, which we really appreciated. No more having to get up and open the door for the dogs, they absolutely love it! Would definitely recommend Sydney Paws!
Response from the owner:Thank you for such a thorough review! Being upfront on pricing and knowing our product inside out is how we like to work, so it's great to hear that came through. We're always happy to work around your timing, and getting it sorted before your holiday was a no-brainer. No more playing doorman for the dogs now! We really appreciate the recommendation.
Dog Door In Glass -
Tru
4 weeks ago
Exceptional service, product and extremely quick turn around. Left an enquiry this morning. One hour later Alex called. 30 minutes later Allen installed my pups door in the crimsafe fly screen. Thanks so much. Might be back in winter for the glass door one too! One stoked owner. 😃
Response from the owner:Now that's the kind of turnaround we love! Enquiry in the morning, pup sorted by lunch. A crimsafe screen is a great spot for a pet door. So glad you're happy with it, and we'd be keen to sort the glass door one for you come winter. Thanks so much for the review! 😃
Dog Door In Glass -
Rich Andersen
4 months ago
Totally a 5 star service in every way! We had a medium pet door installed in our folding glass door and it looks awesome and works great. Alex and his team are such great guys to deal with and were happy to accommodate our personal needs as well providing excellent service, advice and tips for how to get our silly cat using the door properly. Really could not have asked for a better result. Thanks Alex and Allen!!!
Response from the owner:Thanks so much Rich! A medium door in a folding glass door is a nice result, glad it looks and works great. And getting the silly cat sorted is a win in our book. Cheers from Alex and Allen!
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