Cats are naturally independent. When you give them the freedom to move between indoors and outdoors, life becomes easier for both you and your pet. Installing a cat door in glass offers a stylish, discreet solution that provides that freedom while keeping your home secure and full of natural light.
Not every cat door works with glass, and different glass types need different approaches.
Here are the key factors to check before you buy:
Single vs. Double Glazing
First, check whether your window or door uses single-pane or double glazing. Some cat doors only suit single glazing, others work with double glazing, and some are designed for timber doors. Always match the cat door specifications with your glass type.
Safety Standards
Glass varies in type and thickness. Choose glass that matches the cat door’s requirements for thickness and edge clearance so it won’t crack or break. In many cases, New Zealand safety rules specify toughened safety glass. Following these rules keeps your home safe, compliant, and durable for the long term.
Security Options
Many Wellington homeowners prefer microchip-activated cat doors because they only open for your cat, keeping strays and wildlife outside. Most models also include manual locks for extra control. If you choose a microchip model, check if it needs an adaptor for glass installation. Some models even connect to a Wi-Fi hub and app so you can monitor and manage your cat’s access remotely.
Size and Profile
Each cat door requires a specific hole size in the glass. Confirm that the cut-out size matches the door you buy. Pay attention to the profile too: sliding doors, for example, need a slimline cat door so the track still opens and closes smoothly.
Placement
Install the cat door at a comfortable height for your cat. Make sure the surrounding glass has the strength to support the installation.
Weather Resistance
Wellington’s weather changes quickly. Pick a cat door with durable seals that block wind and rain while helping your home stay warm.
Cat Doors and Double Glazing
If your home has double glazing, you can’t cut into the existing unit. Cutting it would break the seal and cause it to fail. Instead, a glazier will measure and order a new double-glazed panel with the cat door opening pre-cut and factory sealed. Once ready, we remove the old unit and fit the new one in its place.
If you may want to remove the cat door later, you can keep your original unit as a backup. Although this option costs more than single glazing, it:
- Preserves energy efficiency and insulation
- Keeps the unit fully sealed and under warranty
- Helps your home stay warm, dry, and secure
Explore our double glazing solutions
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Cat Door in Glass?
The price of a cat door installation ranges from under $200 to over $1000. The final cost depends on several factors:
- Cat door type – Basic flaps start at around $20, while microchip models climb past $200.
- Glass type and size – Standard annealed glass costs the least. Toughened safety glass costs more, depending on size and thickness.
- Double glazing – This option costs the most because the glazier must order a new sealed unit with the hole pre-cut.
- Placement – The pane needs enough glass around the hole to stay strong. In some cases, our team recommends thicker or toughened glass for safety.
In summary:
- With single glazing, our glaziers often cut a hole in the existing pane and install the cat door in one visit. That approach gives you the lowest price.
- If your glass lacks the strength or if your home uses double glazing, our team replaces the pane or unit with one made for a cat door. That upgrade increases the cost.
Wellington Glass & Mirror are Cat Door Experts
At Wellington Glass & Mirror, we’ve installed cat doors for more than 25 years. Our experts help you choose the right solution for your home and pet. Then our qualified glaziers complete the installation — safe, compliant, and built to last.
Give your cat the freedom they deserve — contact us today for expert installation.
FAQs
Yes but it requires a new sealed double-glazing unit with the hole pre-cut at the factory. Cutting into existing double glazing breaks the seal and voids the warranty.
No — it’s not possible to cut a hole in existing toughened or laminated safety glass. This needs to be replaced with new safety glass that has the hole pre-cut at the factory.
Costs depend on the cat door type, glass size and type, placement, and whether double glazing is involved. A hole can be cut on-site and a cat door fitted to standard annealed glass, making this very affordable. However, safety glass and double glazing must be replaced, making this more expensive.
Generally, no, unless the existing glass is already safety glass. Our expert team may be able to assess this from a photograph, otherwise a site visit is needed to be sure. If safety glass is required, it’s best to invest in this to ensure the safety of your pet, and for long-term durability, peace of mind and compliance with NZ safety standards.
Yes, modern cat doors can be microchip-activated so only your cat can use them, preventing stray cats, small dogs and wildlife like possums from entering.