Things You'll Need
- Pet
- Pet door
- Plywood (or other type of wood)
- Shims
- Strips of foam (Insulation)
- Pin or deadbolt lock (or charley bar)
- Saw (optional)
- Paint (optional)
- Waterproof sealer (optional)
- Screws (optional)
- Glue (optional)
Instructions
Measure your sliding glass door. Before you begin, you must have an accurate measurement of both the door and your pet. Measure the door from the inside of the frame. Measure the height of the patio door to find the width. Add at least two inches (or more) to the measurement. Sliding glass doors come in a large variety of sizes for both cats and dogs. Check Resources (below) for a link to the specific instructions required for pet measuring.
Purchase a wall pet door. The steps provided here use an inexpensive wall pet door and converts it into a sliding glass one. If you want to get really creative, you can even make this part of the project yourself. Otherwise, find a pet door that is the correct size for your animal and will work with the wood you have.
Obtain all other materials for your sliding glass pet door. You will need to get wood, insulation strips and some type of sliding glass lock to secure the door. Get paint for the wood or a waterproofing sealer, if the door is exposed to moisture. You can have the wood cut at the time of purchase or use a saw to do so at home. Cut the wood approximately ¼ to ½ inch shorter than the sliding glass doors measurement. This will allow you to get the door comfortably in place.
Install your sliding glass pet door. Mount the pet door into the cut wood, as directed by the instructions. Place the foam strips around the wood. Next, slide the wood into the sliding glass doors frame. Use the shims on the bottom to fill in the gap. Close the door and secure with a lock.
Watch your pets enjoy their new freedom. Now you can sit back and relax as your pet comes and goes. This sliding glass pet door will save you from having to let your pet in and out of the house.