Sliding Glass Dog Doors

Patio Panel Pet Door for Sliding Glass Door

Patio Panel Pet Doors are the perfect solution for adding pet doors to sliding glass doors. Sliding glass patio doors eliminate the need to modify your sliding glass door framing, or to cut a hole in your door or wall. If you move, take your sliding door dog door insert with you! In general, a sliding door dog door is made with sturdy aluminum framing. However, if you have a vinyl sliding door, there are vinyl pet door for sliding glass door options available such as the Pet Door Guys “In the Glass” insert and the Endura Flap Vinyl Sliding Glass Dog Door. There are various insert options for glass sliding doors that can fit into aluminum, vinyl, or wood sliders (there is not a wood panel available, but white frames can be painted to match the slider). Keep reading to learn more about measuring for and installing a patio door with a pet door built-in.

Note: For a sliding glass pet door shorter than about 75" or taller than about 96", please see Custom Dimension Pet Doors for more choices.

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Important Considerations

There are three that are most important:

• In choosing a pet patio door it is vital to know that your track height is in the adjustment range of the door you have chosen.
• Secondly, you must be sure that the flap size and step-over are appropriate for your pet.
• Finally, you need to be sure that you'll have room to walk out yourself if you have a pet patio panel in place! If not, and you'd still like to use your patio door, take a look at Through the Glass pet doors.

There are quite a few other details that might be important for you to think about in purchasing any panel pet door. Study the comparison chart and read the information on the patio panel FAQ on this page, which covers the fine points of sliding dog doors.

Pet doors for sliding glass doors aren't only for dogs. In fact, they may be a better choice for cats than the ones intended specifically for cats! The reason is that each manufacturer generally offers a "Small" size, and the flaps are all flexible and, therefore, safer than rigid "cat flaps." Plus, there are plenty of patio door cat flaps to choose from. 

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Key Points to Consider When Choosing Your Pet Door

Measure the height of your sliding glass door track.

Don't just assume that 'it's standard' as they do vary. Using a ruler, measure inside the track, from the very top to the very bottom (see the illustration in the patio panel FAQ section). Always compare your track height to the adjustment ranges shown for the various pet doors. Endura Flap offers custom heights for odd-sized sliders and windows. The Dragon custom single flap panel and custom double flap panel for aluminum sliders are also great options. For cats, check out the Whiskers & Windows Custom Sliding Glass Cat Door. 

If you are looking at a Hale panel, then you would measure from down inside the bottom track then all the way up to the top track, stopping short of going inside the top track.

Determine how wide the flap needs to be.

Open your sliding glass door wide enough for your pet to come through comfortably. Allow room for growth as needed. There's your minimum width. Don't buy a flap that isn't at least that wide.

Determine the flap height and step-over dimensions you need.

Ideally, the top of the flap will be at least as tall as the top of the pet at his 'withers' (top of his shoulders). That way, he doesn't have to crouch to use the pet door. The 'step-over' dimension is the height of the bottom of the flap above the base of the pet door. That's how much he has to step over.

So, flap height plus step-over is the height of the top of the flap.

Generally, the lower the step-over, the better. Especially when your pet is older or arthritic, so you might prefer a flap 17" tall with a 3" step-over to one with a 15" height and 5" step-over. Both reach 20" at the top, but the taller flap yields a lower step-over.

More flap and less step-over can also be helpful if you've got a small pet that needs to share with a larger one. A pet door that incorporates a user-adjustable step-over makes it simpler and offers more flexibility for the future. These are only available with Endura Flap pet panels.

Check the color and material of your framing.

Most brands are available in white, satin (aluminum color) or bronze (very dark brown). You can paint any of these to get a different color if you wish, but the easiest to paint is white. Check with your local paint shop for primer and paint recommendations.

The material in which you are installing the insert does not affect the actual installation or performance of the pet panel so much as the measurements. Your track height and thickness need to match up with that of a patio panel, and typically pet panels will sit on a rail at the bottom of your track. Be sure to check these things before purchase.

See if you have dual-pane glass.

You probably do and, unless you're in a Very temperate climate area, you'll want to choose a pet door that has dual-pane glass also. You can tell by placing a finger on both sides of your glass. If they look like they're touching, you have a single pane. If they stop about 1/2" apart, you have dual pane.

Not all patio inserts are dual pane. The dual-pane options include the Ideal VIP Patio Panel Dog Door, Ideal VIP 150 Cat Patio Panel, and Hale Patio Pet Doors.

If you want Low "E" glass.

This coating on the inside of dual pane glass units performs much better than the regular glass in insulating your home.

A NOTE OF CAUTION when measuring your track height:

Even though your measurement falls within the adjustment range of the sliding glass doggie door you have chosen, you could still have a problem if you are at the shorter end of that range. You will probably require some clearance to get the pet door up and over the track wall at the bottom and into the track!

You should measure the height of the lowest track wall at the bottom (usually the outside). You'll need enough compression to clear that height. Please call our customer service department if you have any questions about this. Some pet door patio dog doors have special provisions for decreasing or increasing the adjustment range a small amount (about 3/4") on the job site anti-whoops!. This feature can save having to ship the pet door back in case of a small measurement error.

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Sliding Glass Doors Pet Doors FAQs

How does a sliding glass door pet door work?

A typical dog door for sliding door is a glass panel with a built-in pet door that sits in the track of your sliding glass door. The slider of your existing door will slide into the stationary patio panel inserted in the track, rather than sliding against the edge of the door frame. Some customers have also used thinner models of patio panels in their screen door tracks. While this is a great option for ventilation, keep in mind that many screen door tracks are not as wide as the panel or don't have track walls to stabilize the panel. If you would like a dog door for a screen door, we recommend instead considering a pet door in a screen door rather than using a patio panel insert.

How is the pet door secured on my track?

A sliding door pet door insert is secured into your existing sliding glass door track using a pressurized system that expands the top of the panel into the top of the upper track. Simply lock the panel in place once it is extended into the upper sliding door track. Some panels require that you drill a hole through the track to secure the sliding glass dog door insert, however, most install with no tools required! Two of our best selling tool-free options are the Thermo Panel 3e and the Ideal Fast Fit.

Can you buy the entire glass door or is it just the pet door insert?

Another great choice is a sliding glass door with a dog door built-in, one of the best sliding glass door options that allow you to use your existing lock. The “Pet Door Guys - In the Glass” pet door for sliding glass door works by replacing the existing glass in the door with a new pane that has a pet door built through it (you will need to contact a glass company to install). The "In the Glass" unit uses a durable, energy-efficient Endura Flap, so if you are looking for a weatherproof dog door for sliding glass door, this is a great option! This is also a perfect choice when putting a dog door in sidelight panels. The "In the Glass" Unit is becoming increasingly popular, especially if you need an extra-large dog door for a sliding glass door, seeing as they don't take up space in your door frame like a patio panel does.

How to install a Sliding Glass Pet Door?

1. To order your panel, you will need to measure your pet to determine the correct pet door size, and measure your sliding glass door track to specify a track height adjustment range.
2. Once you receive your patio panel insert from us, you will install it either in the track for sliding glass doors (such that it will flush against the door jamb), or in the outer screen track. Note: In some cases, you might be able to remove the stationary panel of your sliding glass door and then place it closer to the middle of the track to accommodate the patio panel insert. This allows the sliding panel of your door to lock as usual rather than sliding into the patio panel insert.
3. Place the panel in the sliding door track and twist the screws at the bottom to secure the panel before adjusting the height extension at the top to expand the panel into the upper track.
4. Once you have the right fit, tighten the thumbscrews at the top of the panel to fasten it in the track (in order to keep the insert semipermanent and lockable).
5. Drill a hole into the side of the adjacent sliding door in order to install the lock.
6. Read our blog post on How to Install a Dog Door in a Sliding Glass Door for further installation help.

How can I install a patio pet door if my sliders meet in the middle?

Installation can work the same way. In order for the panel insert to remain secure and stable, you will need to make one of your sliders stationary. In essence, you will only be allowed to slide and walk through one of your two sliders.

Are these easy to install? Can I do this myself?

It depends on how handy you are. If you want something that is easy to install, I would recommend either the Endura Flap Thermo Panel 3e or the Ideal Fast Fit. These pet door panels do not require any tools for installation. For more information, you can visit the 'Installation Instructions' tab on each product page.

Do I want a 'temporary' or a 'semi-permanent' pet door installed?

A temporary installation doggie door for sliding glass door may be put in and taken out again easily. This will be the better option if you do not want the panel to be located in one position all the time. For example, you may wish to use the panel only during warm weather or only when you are at home. Having a temporary panel presents a flexible solution.

A semi-permanent pet door for sliding glass doors, on the other hand, must be fastened into the track. The panel must be fastened because the manufacturer has put a lock on the pet door, which mates to a bracket on the sliding glass door. For that lock to work, the panel must be fastened in place. To make the installation semipermanent, you can nail the panel into the track on the top and/or bottom. Note: Any modifications to the panel will void the warranty and return policy.

On top of those two options, there is a group of pet doors for sliding doors that are neither a temporary install nor a semipermanent install, but somewhere in between. That is, they may require tools to set up but are not fastened into your track.

If a semipermanent install is desired and your sliding glass door uses an alarm, it is possible to install the panel on the side of the stationary half of the sliding glass door. This type of installation may help avoid needing to reset your alarm system. Keep in mind that every sliding glass door's stationary panel is different, so moving and reinstalling tactics vary and do not have one specific answer that would suffice.

Another installation possibility that is commonly overlooked is that all pet doors that are designed for temporary installation may be made semipermanent by fastening them into the track with sheet metal screws. A temporary type panel has the broadest range of installation choices.

Why would I pay hundreds of dollars for a pet door?

You pay for quality, so when you buy a more expensive pet door, you are buying a higher degree of energy efficiency as well as durability. Better insulated pet doors will save you money on your AC/heating bills by keeping more of your heated or cooled air inside. Higher quality pet doors require less in replacement parts, and usually carry better warranties than lower quality options. You are paying for the quality of the materials: glass, metal, and the flap all play a role in how well the pet door will perform.

Why is the Thermo Panel so expensive? Pricing takes into consideration the materials and overall durability of the pet door panel. The Endura Flap Thermo Panel is made to last with durable aluminum framing, Low-e glass, and the best dog door on the market. With a warranty of 15 years, this model can outlast extreme weather and permit the most active pets. With this model, you really get what you pay for and would be one of many satisfied pet owners.

Will the pet door keep out the weather?

Some pet doors guard against the weather better than others. The best sliding glass doors pet doors will keep the weather outside while letting your pets outside to potty and then back inside, as well as be durable enough to withstand the elements! Top choices for weatherproof dog and cat doors for sliding glass doors would be brands like Endura Flap (Thermo Panel 3e) and Hale (Omni and Standard Panels).

How do I seal a sliding glass door with a dog door?

1. Attach adhesive weather stripping to both sides of the panel insert. Most inserts will come with some.
2. Insert the panel so the top piece is secured to the frame. Most sliding glass inserts will have a height adjuster to lock in place.
3. When the slider is shut against the panel, the weatherstripping will close off any potential gaps.
4. Panel inserts will often come with a locking mechanism to seal your slider against the dog door.

Does the glass in my slider need to match the glass in the dog insert?

No, we have single and dual pane inserts available, but the installation will be the same. The reason to match might depend on aesthetics and fit. Dual-pane does offer better insulation, so if you have a single pane in your slider, you can still consider this option. The biggest deterrent might be the thickness of the panel versus the thickness of your slider's track. Be sure to check whether the panel will fit by taking a look at its minimum track width.

How will I lock up my house with the installed sliding door doggie door in place?

Panel pet doors designed for a semi-permanent installation only will have a lock built into the pet door that you will use instead of the lock on your sliding glass door. That lock will engage a bracket mounted on your sliding glass door above your existing lock and locks the sliding door to the pet door. This system requires that the pet door be fastened semi-permanently in place. The panels that use this method would be:

PetSafe Freedom

Hale Standard Panel

A second approach is to use a pin lock, c-clamp lock, or dead-bolt lock to lock the glass door against the pet door. These can be used for both temporary and semi-permanent types of installations and are extremely effective. Note that pin locks are most readily used when the sliding panel is on the inside track. If it is on the outside track (an uncommon situation), it may be easier to install a threshold mount dead-bolt type lock. These are available from us in the Flaps and Parts->Accessories section but also in any local hardware.

Some very specialized pet patio doors will actually mate to the lock on your sliding glass door. These doors would be the Ideal VIP 150 Panel and the Ideal VPP Panel.

A great idea is to use a 'Charley Bar'. The Charley Bar mounts behind the sliding glass door on the jamb and locks the sliding glass door against the pet door. You don't need a pet door to use a Charley Bar. They're frequently used just to improve the security of a sliding glass door. When used with a pet door, the Charley Bar has an important added benefit. The pressure applied is near the center of the sliding glass door which results in more even pressure between the sliding door and the pet door. This, in turn, helps make a tighter seal between the two and reduces the chance of a leak.

Will the aluminum panel fit with my vinyl slider track?

Sometimes the aluminum panels are not as wide as the tracks on the vinyl sliders, as typically they tend to be about 7/8" to 1" in thickness. In some cases, customers have actually shimmed in at the top and bottom to make up for any wiggle room in front or behind the panel. Or they have toe-nailed the panel in, where the screws are installed at an angle to go through the panel and into the track, making the installation more semipermanent. In other cases the doors have fit in just fine and been perfectly stable, even if the facing of the frames are not flush with each when viewed from the interior of the house, it is merely an aesthetic issue. Many customers have to go with the aluminum sliders simply because the doors specifically for vinyl have very limited flap dimensions and height ranges available. A great option for a short vinyl sliding door is the Custom Endura Flap Severe Weather Dog Door for Sliders. 

How do I know the correct track position to install the panel pet door in?

Many choose to install their sliding glass pet door in the glass track against the sliding door jamb. Then the sliding glass door opens and closes against it. The pet door is always stationary.

Some choose an outside screen track. In that case, we suggest you use a 'spring-load' (no tools installation) type that is particularly thin such as the Ideal Fast Fit. If the glass track height and screen track height are close enough in width, you may be able to move the sliding door pet door from one another as the weather dictates.

Please note that the thickness of the pet door will not be the same as the thickness of your track. There are too many track widths to make a separate panel for each one, and so no manufacturer does. They are all built on the 'thin' side in order to make it compatible with any sliding door track. Properly installed, this fact is not noticeable.

The vinyl-framed pet doors will be thicker to more nearly match vinyl-framed sliding glass doors.

With the installation of my new Sliding Glass Door Patio Panel, the total width of walking space decreases with the panel in place, how do I make sure that I will still have enough room to walk through?

The 'Overall Panel Width' column under the size chart will tell you how wide each panel is. You can find out if there is enough space to still use your sliding glass door by subtracting the overall panel width of the pet door from the total width of the opening of your sliding glass door.

After fitting your pet, be sure the remaining opening in your sliding door fits you. If it's tight and this situation displeases you, look for a dog door sliding glass door with a higher aspect ratio for the flap. For example, why get a 14" x 23" flap if your pet can easily use a 12" x 23"? You just saved two inches. Or you can put a pet door directly through the glass of your sliding glass door: See Pet Doors "Through The Glass" Category Page.

Does PetDoors.com have anything for my newer vinyl framed sliding glass door?

We have a lot of great pet door panel options specifically made for vinyl-framed sliding doors. These options have vinyl framing to match the vinyl framing of your sliding glass door. These are a great choice because the vinyl frames look more like they "belong," matching the vinyl frame of your slider. Some will even engage with the lock on your sliding glass door. Vinyl sliding pet doors are also thicker than aluminum-framed pet door panels, so they will fit vinyl sliding door tracks perfectly (vinyl slider tracks are typically wider than aluminum slider tracks). 

For maximum weather resistance, we recommend the Endura Flap Vinyl Sliding Glass Dog Door. This vinyl-framed pet door panel fits in vinyl sliding door tracks at least 1.5" thick. It features an insulating Endura Flap Pet Door which is designed to keep your home's temperature regulated year-round. For extreme weather protection, check out the Endura Flap Severe Weather Vinyl Sliding Glass Dog Door. 

For a vinyl sliding door pet door that uses your existing sliding door lock, check out the Ideal VPP Panel Pet Door. This panel comes with a locking catch that works with your existing slider lock to maintain security and peace of mind. This panel is designed for mild climates. For severe weather, the Endura Flap is our top choice. 

For an economically friendly choice, the Dragon Vinyl Sliding Glass Door is a good option. The two-piece flap design creates a complete seal over the pet door opening for wind and weather protection in mild climates. 

Will the panel interfere with my alarm system?

It is possible that a pet door insert in our patio door may interfere with your alarm system. You will want to check with your alarm company to determine how this can be avoided.

Will bugs be able to come through the doorway, between the sliding glass door doggie door and sliding screen door?

You can still get ventilation with a glass track installation by opening the sliding glass door and bringing the screen up even with the pet door. But how do you stop a bug from flying in between the screen and the pet panel?

The best solution we know about is the Bug Warden which can be purchased directly from them. 

The Dreaded "Bug Gap"

How do you measure the track on sliding glass door models?

Measure the inside of the track with measuring tape or a ruler from the deepest part up inside the top track and down into the deepest part down inside the bottom track. Don't assume that it's a "standard" size track; it's very important to have accurate measurements. Always compare your track height to adjustment ranges shown for the various dog doors. Endura Flap offers custom heights for odd-sized sliders and windows. Hale panels require a slightly different measuring method (Standard and Omni panel), these products require you to measure from deepest part of the bottom track up to the track wall, or first feature you touch, when measuring to the top of the track.

Measuring for a Patio Panel

Measuring for a Hale Standard/Omni Panel

At which height over 74 3/4" would a sliding door dog door insert need to be custom?

80 ¼" is the maximum height of the more standard sizes. Anything between 80 ¼" - 93 1/4", would need to be a custom order. Furthermore, there is a tall height range, and anything above the maximum of the tall height range, which is 96 ¼" will need to be custom ordered.

I am trying to decide between an Aluminum panel and Vinyl panel, what are a few major differences in the two?

When considering the two options, we recommend basing the decision on the type of climate you are living in, and also whether or not you want the panel to be semi-permanent or temporary. The aluminum option would be better in a warmer climate, where vinyl is better in colder climates because aluminum creates condensation on the door from the cold climate. On the other hand, aluminum would be the better option if your major concern is the ease of removability. The PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Pet Door is a great option with a variety of size options. The vinyl option would be a semi-permanent installation and less easy to remove. Also with the vinyl your track has to be 1-½” - 1-¾”, and the flap sizes are fairly restrictive so for larger pets the aluminum might be the only option.

What can I use if my sliding glass door doesn't have a track?

You can use an In The Glass unit, or you can install a Hale Omni panel if your slider has a rail.

How do I decide which direction my slider closes?

This needs to be done while you are on the inside of the house looking out. You do need to specify whether your slider closes to the left or to the right so that they can mount the lock correctly.

Will it work in my Pella/Andersen sliding glass door?

Pella and Andersen doors don't have the standard metal railing on the bottom of the track or the standard grooved track at the top that Endura Flap, Ideal, and Petsafe use for installation. Hale Omni Panels would be the best panel to install on these locations as they use a tension nut instead of a spring-loaded topper for installation. Visit the Details tab on the Hale Omni Panel page

We do not install the dog door in glass sliding doors. There are many factors that can influence the price of your In the Glass pet door installation. We recommend you contact two or three local glaziers (glass companies) for estimates in your area.

How do I determine the size of my In the Glass Pet Door?

The combination of your pet door's 'step-over' plus the pet opening height you select should total 1" or more above the tallest pets back.

• When determining sizing for dog door height first, measure your tallest pet from the floor to the top of the shoulder (base of the neck). Record the number. Determine the pet door size best suited for you and your pets needs.
• Next, establish "your doors" minimum step-over. This is the minimum step-over height for your door after install.
  First, locate the bottom of your existing glass.This will be approximately 3/4" below the top of the bottom framing.
• Measure from the floor to the bottom of the glass. Record the number. Add 3 3/4" for the Endura Flap™ framing.
• The total equals your doors minimum step-over height after installation. Most trim line vinyl and aluminum doors will have between 5"-8" of minimum step-over depending on bottom rail thickness and the pet door you select. French rail doors and swing doors with kick panels will be higher.
• Review the "In the Glass" Pet Doors page to find the ideal combination of step-over, pet opening size and height for your application. We can add step-over if needed. Review the adding additional step-over page. We can add an insulated spacer between the frame and pet door to raise the door up for taller pets' ease of use.

Are there doggy doors for sliding glass doors?

Yes, there are doggy doors for sliding glass doors. The Endura Flap Thermo Panel 3e is a great 8ft sliding glass dog door option. For taller sliders, this panel comes in custom heights too.

How do you install a dog door on a sliding glass door?

Here's how to install a dog door in a sliding door:

• 1. Loosen the knobs at the top of the panel.
• 2. Test fit the panel in the slider.
• 3. Apply weatherstripping.
• 4. Install the panel and tighten the knobs at the top. The process is the same for most panels, even 8ft sliding glass dog doors.

What is the best doggie door on the market?

The best adjustable doggy door for sliding glass doors on the market is the Endura Flap Thermo Panel 3e.

Can you install a dog door in an apartment?

Yes, you can install a pet door in an apartment. Sliding glass dog doors are a great low-impact choice for apartment dwellers.

Can you put a dog door in a glass door?

Yes, you can put a dog door in a glass door. A pet door panel is an excellent low-impact pet door choice that doesn't require drilling or cutting into a door or wall.

Is there a doggie door for sliding glass doors?

There are lots of doggie doors for sliding glass doors. Check out our selection of top-quality pet doors for sliders here.