Project planning · 3 min read
Adding a pet door? Compare the door, wall and glass options first
Choose the route through your home before ordering a pet door. An opening through a hinged door, a tunnel through a wall and a fitting in glass are different projects. The same flap size does not make their materials, installation or restoration work interchangeable.
Measure the pet for the exact product
Start with the selected model's measuring guide rather than a size label such as medium. PetSafe's one-piece sliding-glass panel guide uses chest width and height from the ground to the back above the shoulder. It also asks owners to consider the rise: the portion the pet steps over below the opening.
Keep those measurements separate from the frame dimensions and installation cutout. For multiple pets, check the largest pet's fit and whether smaller pets can manage the step. Mention mobility difficulties and expected growth to the supplier. Do not transfer one model's height formula to another.
Through a hinged door: confirm the door construction
Send the door's product details if available, plus photos of both faces and its edge. Ask whether the chosen pet door suits the material, thickness and panel layout. PetSafe lists a 3/8-to-2-inch door-thickness range for its Freedom Aluminum model; that is a product-specific limit, not a rule for every pet door.
Flag any fire-rating label for professional review. SureFlap expressly prohibits installing its Microchip Pet Door in a fire door. Do not plan to cut a rated door to make a kit fit.
Through a wall: assess the route and both finished faces
Show both sides of the proposed location, including ground-level changes. SureFlap's Microchip Pet Door manual calls for a qualified builder to assess the position and warns about concealed wiring and pipes.
Have the wall construction, tunnel depth and compatible extensions confirmed. Include exterior weather protection and finish restoration in the proposal. Structural alterations or service relocation require separate assessment.
In glass: involve the glazier before purchasing
SureFlap's Microchip Pet Door instructions specify a qualified glazier for the opening and a mounting adaptor for glass. For double glazing, they call for a replacement unit manufactured with the hole. Have the glazier confirm the exact product and glass arrangement before anything is ordered.
Ask for glass supply, fitting and pet-door installation to be identified separately. A patio-panel insert is another product type; its frame-height requirements must be checked separately from the pet's dimensions. Do not treat a glass opening and a panel insert as the same scope.
Send a request that can be assessed
Include your city, the proposed route, photos of both sides, the exact product link and pet measurements. For a rental or managed property, include any approval conditions for the alteration.
Ask which accessories and finish repairs are included, how access will be secured during the work, and who handles any specialist portion. Coast & Craft can review the request; suitability, accepted work and specialist needs must be confirmed before scheduling.
Sources & product details
Manufacturer instructions for your exact product take precedence over general planning guidance.