A pet brings immense joy and companionship into any household, but it also comes with responsibilities. One such responsibility is providing your furry friend with easy outdoor access for bathroom breaks, exercise, and exploration. This responsibility is where a pet door can be a game-changer. However, many pet owners are often hesitant about installing pet doors and ask local Auckland glaziers whether you can put a pet door in a glass door.
The good news is that pet door retrofitting is a viable solution that allows you to install a pet door in your existing glass door. In this blog post, we will explore pet door retrofitting, the types of glass you can do this with, and the pros and cons of this option.
Pet door retrofitting is installing a pet door into an existing door, such as a glass door, without compromising its structural integrity or aesthetics. Unlike traditional pet doors installed in walls or standard wooden doors, retrofitting a pet door into glass requires specific considerations to ensure a secure and functional installation.
Not all glass doors are suitable for retrofitting a pet door. The type of glass plays a crucial role in determining whether it can accommodate a pet door. Generally, you can consider the following glass types for retrofitting:
This type of glass is highly durable and heat-treated to enhance strength. Tempered glass is considered one of the best options for retrofitting a pet door because of its sturdiness and resistance to breakage.
Double-glazed glass doors have two glass panels separated by an insulating space. These doors can accommodate pet door installations in the glass panel without affecting the door's insulating properties.
Low-E (Low Emissivity) glass helps reduce heat transfer and is common in energy-efficient doors and windows. It is essential to ensure that the pet door installation does not compromise the insulating properties of the Low-E glass.
Laminated glass consists of multiple layers with an interlayer that holds them together, providing extra strength and safety. Installing a pet door in laminated glass is possible, but professional installation is crucial to maintain its integrity.
Installing a pet door in glass offers many benefits to homeowners, including:
Retrofitting glass with a pet door allows for easy and independent access for your pets. Your fur baby can go outside whenever they need to relieve themselves or play.
There's no need to worry about your pet door looking shabby. When professionally installed, a pet door installed in a glass door seamlessly blends with the existing design, preserving the aesthetics of your home.
Many manufacturers design modern pet doors with energy efficiency in mind. Nowadays, these doors feature weatherproof seals that help maintain indoor temperatures, thus reducing energy costs.
You don't need to worry about impacting the existing structure of your home. Retrofitting eliminates the need for significant alterations to your home, making it a reversible and non-intrusive option.
While there are many benefits to retrofitting a pet door, there are a few things to consider before committing to the process. These include:
Retrofitting a pet door into a glass door is typically more expensive than installing one in a traditional door or wall. The higher cost is due to the specialised nature of the installation.
Intruders can potentially exploit pet doors to gain access to your home. However, many modern pet doors have security features such as locking mechanisms to address this concern.
The installation process involves cutting into the glass, which can weaken it. Therefore, professional installation by a glazier in Auckland or your region is vital to minimise the risk of damage.
If you live in a rental property, the landlord may not permit modifications like retrofitting a pet door in the glass door. If you rent, it's vital to consult with your landlord to discuss pet door retrofitting.
Pet door retrofitting is a practical solution for pet owners who want to provide their furry companions with easy outdoor access through a glass door. With the right type of glass and professional installation, you can ensure your pet door's safety, convenience, and aesthetic appeal.
While you must consider some drawbacks, the benefits of retrofitting a pet door often outweigh the cons, making it a worthwhile investment in your pet and home. For the best result, do thorough research, consult with professionals, and choose a high-quality design that suits your needs and your pet's size and habits.
If you are looking toretrofit double glazing in Aucklandto install a pet door, get in touch with the Atlas Glass team. We will assess your needs and supply the products you need on time and at competitive prices.
Double glazed windows are an enormous advancement in modern window technology. They offer a number of advantages for homeowners - from making your homes more comfortable and convenient, to saving you a ton of money on heating bills in the long run. But what about triple, or even quadruple glazed windows? Yes, these exist – […]
When it comes to retrofit double glazing, houses in New Zealand stand to benefit more than most. Almost two-thirds of NZ houses were built during the 70s or earlier, and many of them didn’t need to comply with mandatory insulation guidelines. This means most houses in New Zealand still have single pane windows, which retain […]
There’s nothing like natural light to boost a dreary day, and it’s been proven that sunlight is an instigator of good health and well-being. It makes sense to try incorporating more natural light in the house, and we should. Ask any architect (or home-office dweller for that matter!) and they’ll tell you natural light is one […]
