Can You Put a Dog Door in a Glass Door?

Yes, you can put a dog door in a glass door. A pro doesn't cut your existing pane — they replace it with a new tempered pane that has the pet door pre-installed. The result is permanent, weather-tight, and looks like the door was manufactured that way.

Methods explained

1. New tempered pane (recommended)

The most common approach. We measure the existing pane, order tempered safety glass with the cutout, then swap it into your original frame. Pros: permanent, no lost door function, best insulation. Cons: 2–3 week lead time on custom glass.

2. Panel insert

A tall aluminum panel with the pet door built in slides into the sliding-door track. Pros: fast, renter-friendly, no glass work. Cons: reduces opening width, less insulated, more visible.

3. Frame-mounted (fixed glass)

For French doors or fixed sidelights, the pet door goes into the surrounding frame rather than the moving pane.

Cost factors

• Glass type — single vs. dual pane, tempered thickness
• Pet-door model and size (small breed vs. large working dog)
• Door size and access difficulty at the install site
• Optional features like a lockable slide-in panel or a Wi-Fi–controlled door

Custom in-glass jobs generally start around $1,000 and go up from there depending on glass size and the door model you pick. We give a firm quote after a free in-home measurement, and installation typically lands 4–5 weeks after the estimate once your custom glass is fabricated.

Manual vs. Wi-Fi-controlled

Traditional flap doors work great for most households. If you want more control — schedule access to daylight hours, lock the door from your phone before you leave for the weekend, or get a notification when the dog goes out — a Wi-Fi–controlled door slots into the same in-glass opening. Same install, more control.

When DIY is unsafe

Cutting tempered glass yourself is not possible — tempered glass shatters if scored. That means every "DIY glass door dog door" video you find is really either replacing the pane (which requires ordering custom tempered glass) or cutting the frame around it. Both go wrong quickly without the right measurements.

When to call a pro

If it's your primary patio door, if the frame is aluminum-clad, or if you want it to look factory — hire someone who does this every week. See our glass door dog doors service page for details.