Anyone had a pet door fitted in double glazing and can talk me through the process? As in does someone come to your house and measure up then go away and cut/seal the glass and then come back to fit? What are the typical timescales for this? Moving into a new house and I need to get this done pretty much as soon as I move in or even beforehand so just trying to guage timescales on it all .Thanks.
Pet door in double glazing
- Thread starter ubern00b
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Soldato
Surely it would have to be a custom built unit?
I always thought double glazing worked by way of a vacuum between the 2 panes of glass. if you cut it for a pet door you're destroying the vacuum and any benefit from the double glazing.
Is this a patio door? You can get locks that enable you to drill in to the plastic surround and lock it closed or open X inches. You could use something like that and an insert of some type to create the door and block the gap above it.
I always thought double glazing worked by way of a vacuum between the 2 panes of glass. if you cut it for a pet door you're destroying the vacuum and any benefit from the double glazing.
Is this a patio door? You can get locks that enable you to drill in to the plastic surround and lock it closed or open X inches. You could use something like that and an insert of some type to create the door and block the gap above it.
Soldato
As above, you have to get a guy to replace the whole bottom pane with a new one that has a the door fitted from factory.
Soldato
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They’re sealed, but there’s no vacuum.
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at my old job we made a rounded square dog flap in a double glazed unit once, it's roughly the same process as cutting a vent hole, for some reason it took around a week for them to get it cut right lol but with no problems it can be cut, arrissed, toughened and sealed and shipped out to the fitter by the next day, i'd give it 3 days min though.
whatever happens it would be a new double glazed unit
whatever happens it would be a new double glazed unit
Soldato
Yep, had a google and you're right. Learn something new every day
Normally yes, but either way, it'll need to be removed if they move again. new owners probably wouldn't like it.
Personally, I've have/had 2 dogs and a cat all over the last 12 years and I don't think I'd ever consider a pet flap. They go out enough and when we aren't there they wait.
Yes, it will be a new double glazed unit. It is going into French doors at the rear of the property and is one large piece of glass so no split.
Judging from the responses no one has experience with this (except Flubble and is as I expected so thank you). Thanks all anyway.
Judging from the responses no one has experience with this (except Flubble and is as I expected so thank you). Thanks all anyway.
Soldato
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This can't be done in situ for double glazing. At best the factory can re construct the glazing panel with flap.
However, the preference and normal cost effective method is to get a new glazing panel manufactured with pet flap hole which is then simply installed and old one removed.
Unless you have a very specialist glass panel, it's easier and cheaper to simply replace with a new one.
Width, height, depth, spec (argon fill etc) + diameter for pet flap. You may need to part deglase the unit from the frame to get accurate measurements.
Glazing isn't that expensive even a full height panel.
However, the preference and normal cost effective method is to get a new glazing panel manufactured with pet flap hole which is then simply installed and old one removed.
Unless you have a very specialist glass panel, it's easier and cheaper to simply replace with a new one.
Width, height, depth, spec (argon fill etc) + diameter for pet flap. You may need to part deglase the unit from the frame to get accurate measurements.
Glazing isn't that expensive even a full height panel.
We had this, and its very common due to houses coming with french doors etc.
We had a glazier come and measure up, then these measurements were sent over to the factory who built a new sealed unit. A week later, it was delivered, glazier took out the old sealed unit from the door, popped in the new one, refit the rubber seals, trims etc. Job done.
Then fit catflap to the hole. Make sure your catflap has enough depth or extension tube to work with a sealed double glazed unit.
We had a glazier come and measure up, then these measurements were sent over to the factory who built a new sealed unit. A week later, it was delivered, glazier took out the old sealed unit from the door, popped in the new one, refit the rubber seals, trims etc. Job done.
Then fit catflap to the hole. Make sure your catflap has enough depth or extension tube to work with a sealed double glazed unit.
Soldato
I thought this was a bit more common place, the catflap i bought recently (yet to fit it) has a section in the manual about installing in to a double glazed unit.
I'd try a window medic type outfit as i thought they actually cut a round hole in the glass and then sealed up the original panel from what i'd read, but i could be wrong.
I'd try a window medic type outfit as i thought they actually cut a round hole in the glass and then sealed up the original panel from what i'd read, but i could be wrong.
Don't know, I was buying the house as part of this, so just absorbed it into the general bankruptcy of everything else
The labour and call out costs are probably the majority of the cost. The cost to have the unit made by the factory isnt going to be high (they're making units all day every day).
Don't know, I was buying the house as part of this, so just absorbed it into the general bankruptcy of everything else
The labour and call out costs are probably the majority of the cost. The cost to have the unit made by the factory isnt going to be high (they're making units all day every day).
I hear the bankruptcy part! I've emailed a glazier anyway so will find out soon enough. Thanks 
Soldato
I work for a sealed unit manufacturer. As it’s for a door a new panel is required and it’ll be toughened which you can’t cut so has to be cut first then toughened.
Just call a local glazer get them to come measure the window for you and the composition of it. Then find the pet flap you want. The flap will tell you how big of a hole you need there isn’t really standard for them. If you want to be a bit cheaper order the unit yourself from a sealed unit manufacturer and get the glazed to fit that. Saves you paying the price of the glazer marking up the glass.
Depending who the unit comes from expect a 2 week lead time from big companies. Local independent smaller firms tend be 1 week such as who I work for you.
Also no vacuum is in them. Depending on house age it will just be air or if it’s new and up to latest regs it will have Argon pumped in. Possibly Krypton but that’s more common in heritage units. Then the edges are sealed with hot melt and in you case the hole is also sealed with hot melt.
Just call a local glazer get them to come measure the window for you and the composition of it. Then find the pet flap you want. The flap will tell you how big of a hole you need there isn’t really standard for them. If you want to be a bit cheaper order the unit yourself from a sealed unit manufacturer and get the glazed to fit that. Saves you paying the price of the glazer marking up the glass.
Depending who the unit comes from expect a 2 week lead time from big companies. Local independent smaller firms tend be 1 week such as who I work for you.
Also no vacuum is in them. Depending on house age it will just be air or if it’s new and up to latest regs it will have Argon pumped in. Possibly Krypton but that’s more common in heritage units. Then the edges are sealed with hot melt and in you case the hole is also sealed with hot melt.
Don't service Wakefield do you?I work for a sealed unit manufacturer. As it’s for a door a new panel is required and it’ll be toughened which you can’t cut so has to be cut first then toughened.
Just call a local glazer get them to come measure the window for you and the composition of it. Then find the pet flap you want. The flap will tell you how big of a hole you need there isn’t really standard for them. If you want to be a bit cheaper order the unit yourself from a sealed unit manufacturer and get the glazed to fit that. Saves you paying the price of the glazer marking up the glass.
Depending who the unit comes from expect a 2 week lead time from big companies. Local independent smaller firms tend be 1 week such as who I work for you.
Also no vacuum is in them. Depending on house age it will just be air or if it’s new and up to latest regs it will have Argon pumped in. Possibly Krypton but that’s more common in heritage units. Then the edges are sealed with hot melt and in you case the hole is also sealed with hot melt.
Soldato
Don't service Wakefield do you?
Afraid not, i work remotely for them now, they are based in essex. Only come further afield for big big jobs.
Although I can log on and get you a rough unit price if you wanted? As its a local independant it'll be a on the dearer side as well its based in the south but will give you an idea for what you shouldnt be paying more than so someone doesnt try and have you on. (obvisouly this will be just unit price_
It is easily done. Someone will need to visit to measure up the glass and note down the type of glazing etc, then go away and get a replica made with the hole for the cat flap already prepared.
The idiot that came to do mine didn't think to check that the bolts were free to loosen the side of the door before getting the glass cut. When he had it cut and came over to fit it, he realised and ended up rounding the bolts in my door. Told him to do one with his piece of cut glass and never return. It took me about 2 hours to get the bolts free myself. The guy clearly had no idea about the technicalities of his own job and how to overcome a less common situation.
Moral of the story: Make sure that the door is lubed up (hey hey) properly, or ask them to check the bolts can be removed BEFORE wasting your time.
The idiot that came to do mine didn't think to check that the bolts were free to loosen the side of the door before getting the glass cut. When he had it cut and came over to fit it, he realised and ended up rounding the bolts in my door. Told him to do one with his piece of cut glass and never return. It took me about 2 hours to get the bolts free myself. The guy clearly had no idea about the technicalities of his own job and how to overcome a less common situation.
Moral of the story: Make sure that the door is lubed up (hey hey) properly, or ask them to check the bolts can be removed BEFORE wasting your time.
Also had it done in a french door. Gave them the sizes and it was done and then they fitted my cat flap.
I used a Sureflap microchip one with a double glazing fitting adaptor and it worked flawlessly. Just fitted another Sureflap in my new home, brought a duel scan one (Scan to allow in or ourt) but it was unreliable so swapped for a single scan (in scan only) and its been fine since. Stops next doors cat coming in too, cheeky bugger!
I used a Sureflap microchip one with a double glazing fitting adaptor and it worked flawlessly. Just fitted another Sureflap in my new home, brought a duel scan one (Scan to allow in or ourt) but it was unreliable so swapped for a single scan (in scan only) and its been fine since. Stops next doors cat coming in too, cheeky bugger!