Pet Screen Doors

Pet Doors to Install In Window Screens, Sliding Screens, Screen Doors & Porch Screen Enclosures

Most of the dog doors and cat doors offered in this section are designed for installation through a screen as opposed to a pet patio door in your sliding door track. This could be a window screen, a sliding screen door with a pet door, or a screen in a screened-in porch. Outfitting your sliding screen door with a doggie door is often one of the easiest installation methods if you are not as handy, although large dog doors for screen doors generally require that you drill into your frame for stability. If you would prefer tools-free installation, 'instant' or hanging screen doors can be installed in regular doors, sliding doors, or French doors without drilling or cutting.

Pet Screen Doors FAQs

Do you have screen doors with built-in pet door models already?

We don't carry a screen door with a dog door built-in, so you would have to get the screen door first and then add the pet door. Or you can use this screen pet door conversion kit with your existing screen. 

How easy are pet doors in screens to install?

Pet screen doors have an easy installation with only a few simple tools. Pet doors that install with screen material on all four sides usually only require a few tools to install, while the ones that attach to the corner of the screen require minor drilling. Pet doors for screens are easier to install than pet doors for doors or walls, but your ability to install one still depends on the tools you have available and your skillset.

What are the benefits of paying more for the Hale Pet Door for Screens?

If you want a pet door in your screen that will last and stay shut to keep out the bugs, investing in a Hale is a good idea. It's a great product and since it secures to the frame itself, it will be able to tolerate active and large pets without tearing your screen. The pet door is made with sturdy aluminum framing that will not break apart even with years of use. And you get the added convenience of being able to fully use your sliding screen door with the dog door built right in.

Will the pet door keep the bugs out?

Some screen door flaps seal better than others. Flaps with more magnets will close more quickly and consistently, like the Hale (which has furry weather stripping), while other options might take longer to swing to a closed position and be less wind-resistant. The sliding screen door with a pet flap allows ventilation on hot summer nights while keeping the bugs outside.

Additional Information

Manufacturer Return Info

There are several pet doors on the market that install directly through the screen and rely upon the screen itself for support on all four sides. These come in a variety of sizes and are most suitable for smaller and less active pets like cats though some may be sized for large dogs.

No. We offer a variety of pet doors that should fit into your existing screen door. They work for exterior doors as well as interior doors (perhaps you have a garage door with a screen).

Is there a sliding screen door with a dog door already built in?

There aren't any with the pet door pre-installed so you would need to purchase the screen door first.

Can I get an Electronic Cat Door for screen door?

Electronic doors are not made to be installed directly into screens. If your screen door has a solid panel on the bottom, there are several related products that may work for this type of installation.

What is the most sturdy pet door for screens?

The Hale Pet Door for Screens is the highest security door for screens in that it secures to the frame rather than in the middle of the screen. This pet door for patio door screen installs in the corner of the screen and secures to the frame, and if you add a stabilizer bar, it also supports the pet door on the top. This way, you don't have to tamper with your sliding glass doors or purchase a pricey patio pet door to install a pet door. Stabilizer bars are only necessary for the larger flap opening sizes, but if you want the most sturdy set up, that is what we'd recommend! The Pride Pet Door is also very sturdy and a little more economical. Keep in mind that the most secure screens are metal screens rather than plastic frame options.

Hale Pet Door for Screens	Pride Pet Door

I have a very active Labrador, what screen dog door should I get?

For very active and larger pets in general, we always recommend that you purchase the dog screen doors that are attached to the frame of the screen because this is the sturdiest and most stable option for screen doors. The Hale Security Pet Door Screen Mount is a great example of a good screen door that is sturdy.

The Hale Security Pet Door Screen Mount

What is the largest dog doors for screen doors I can purchase?

It is the Hale Giant which is a generous 15 1/2 inches wide and 27 1/2 inches tall.

Do you sell screen doors with a pet door pre-installed?

We do not sell pre-installed pet doors in screens. However, installing pet doors on a screen are relatively simpler than other install locations.

What are the different types of through-screen installations?

There are two approaches to installing a pet door through a screen. Some pet doors are designed to clamp onto the screen itself. These are very simple to install, requiring only a sharp knife, a flat surface (like the kitchen floor), and a hammer. Also, they are quite inexpensive. Others are designed to fasten with sheet metal screws onto the screen framing in a lower corner. These require more expertise to install (you might even want to have a screen shop do this for you) and cost significantly more. However, they are also much sturdier and come in a wider variety of sizes, from small to X-Large. Note that the hanging screens for a doorway are covered in this section as well.  They are the Bug Off Instant Screen and the Magic Mesh Hands Free Screen.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of installing a pet door in a screen?

Advantages

• Cost. Particularly the clamp-on styles are very inexpensive and easily installed or removed. All you would have to replace is the screen if you decide not to have the pet door anymore.

• If you have nowhere else to put your pet door then it's nice to know that you can use a pet door through the screen of a regular or sash window, door or porch.

• A door through the screen allows you to still use the screen for ventilation in the spring and summer without allowing bugs in.

Disadvantages

• Obviously, you let the weather in with the pet. This might not matter for a screened-in porch, but it could be very undesirable for household living in colder climates.

• If you lock the pet in or out you may find that the pet scratches the screen in frustration trying to use the pet door.

• With the clamp-on style the pet door, it is not nearly as supportive as the frame mount style. With a calmer pet it should be fine. However, an active dog may take the pet door out into the back yard as he goes through, even though the pet door may be large enough for the dog as the door is not as secure with only the support of the screen. Screen doors are great, economic options for pet owners, but you just need to be sure that the door you’re buying is suitable for your pet! And as with anything, you are usually “paying for what you get” as far as durability goes.

How do I choose which I need?

Screen installations like the Gateway and PetSafe models tend to work best with cats and mellow, small dogs. With the Hale and Pride screen mounts, you attach them to the frame on two sides, making them much more durable. The large range of flap sizes makes it much easier to comfortably fit your dog or cat.

Will the screen in the pet door match my screen?

For the clamp types like the PetSafe, Gateway, or RCR Easy Screen they actually use your existing material so no need to worry about it matching. The more sturdy models like the Hale have flaps like a typical dog door. Hale’s flap is a clear flexible vinyl material.

Does the type of screen that I have matter?

If you intend to use the type that fastens to the screen framing, then the screen material type doesn't matter. However, if you have a light-weight fiberglass screen, then the clamp-on type may not have enough support, and installing a pet door might cause the material to rip. With the heavier type of screen, the one issue with the clamp on style is that they use pins that go through the screen and into the frame on the other side. We have found that in situations where the screen material is more heavy-duty, that pre-starting the holes in the screen ensures that the pins go all the way through, which helps keep the two sides of the frame snapped together.

What is the spline?

The spline is the black rubber tube shaped material that surrounds the edges of the screen and holds the screen material in the frame.

What if my screen is already torn out by my pet?

The clamp-on type is unlikely to work because you won't have screen to clamp onto on two sides. You'll need to replace the damaged screen, and then install the pet door. If you're planning to get a dog door that fastens to the screen frame itself then, as long as the pet door frame is larger than the torn out portion you'll very likely to be able to do the install with the screen "as is". This, of course, implies that you have the skill to re-spline the screen to the pet door--a job that isn't particularly easy. You might need to make a trip to the screen shop just to make sure you get a good result.

What is a stabilizer bar?

The stabilizer bar comes with Tall/Large and above Hale model screen mounts. This bar helps provide support for the corner of the screen mount in the middle of the door as this is farthest away from any framing. A stabilizer bar can be purchased for smaller Hale models but is not needed most of the time.

What should I choose for a dog door for screen enclosure?

We recommend the Hale Pet Door for Screens - Custom Cut that can be screwed directly into the metal frame. You can build a rectangular frame based on of the eleven available sizes. If you need a customer size, please call one our awesome Customer Service team members.

What is the best-warrantied screen door for dogs?

It is the Hale Pet Door for Screens which has a five (5) year warranty!

I have a thick (2") wooden door - what dog door in screen door do you recommend?

We recommend the Hale pet Door for screens. You will want to choose the Custom cut over 1/2 inch and screw the screen directly into your screen door.

Do you sell the sliding screen door with pet door already installed?

We don't have the entire screen door so that you would have to get locally and purchase the pet door.

I need a cat door screen and my screen has a guard - which pet door do you recommend?

The Ideal Screen-Guard Pet Door.

What is the most sturdy doggie door for sliding screen door?

We recommend the Hale Pet Door for Screens. It has a stabilizer bar kit so the pet door is supported on three sides. You can purchase the stabilizer bar kit on smaller sizes and it is included on the larger sizes.

What patio screen door with a dog door with a rigid frame would you recommend?

The Ideal Screen Fit Pet Door or the Petsafe Pet Screen Door are high-quality pet doors with durable rigid frames.

Which side does the spline go on for my screen with a dog door?

This is determined by looking at the spline on your existing frame. If the spline is on the inner edge of the screen frame it is "Interior" and if it's on the outer edge of the screen frame it is "Exterior".

What's the most economical doggie doors for screen doors?

It's the Petsafe Pet Screen Door with a flap size of 8"x x 10"h.

Do I need to buy a new screen?

They are designed to fit into your existing screen, but some customers have replaced old screen material with more durable pet screening at the time of installation.

Do you have to screw it to the frame?

Only the Hale and Pride require screwing it to the frame. The rest go directly through the screen material.

How do I measure?

Measuring your pet for a screen pet door is slightly different than for some other pet doors. If you choose a screen dog or cat door that installs completely in the screen material, then it is the same as anything else, using these instructions. However, if you're installing something like a Hale Pet Door for Screens, you will need to take into account that the pet door will be securing to the frame of the screen. This means that you may need a taller pet door flap than you would normally! The top of the flap should sit at least 1 inch above the tallest point of your pet's back, and the width should be wide enough that their sides don't hit the frame of the pet door.

Is the installation easy?

Screen mounted pet doors range in difficulty level. A pet door that is installed with screen material on all 4 sides is relatively easy to install, and the only tool you will likely need is a knife. Pet doors for screens that install into the screen's frame are more difficult and may require additional tools. Screen pet doors are generally easier to install than through doors or walls, but you may still want a professional to get the job done right.

Which dog door for screen doors come in a black frame?

The Gateway Pet Door for Screens mounts in the screen and is black. Hale Pet Door for Screens is a Dark Bronze, almost black.

What is the best option for screen dog doors if my screen has a grill/guard on the bottom?

The Ideal Screen-Guard Pet Door is designed for doors with a screen guard.

Screen doors for dogs that are large like a Lab we recommend the Hale Pet Door for Screens. You can see their widths and heights to best fit your doggie.

I want a high-quality cat door in screen door, what do you recommend?

For a cat door screen door, we recommend the Hale Cat Door for Screens. It also depends on your cat's preference for a flexible or rigid flap.

I'm on a budget, what cat door for window screen do you suggest?

There are few budget-friendly pet doors.

What doggie doors for screens have the best warranty?

The doggie door for screen doors with the best warranty are the Hale Pet Doors for Screens which have a 5-year warranty.

What type of pet screens for doors do you offer?

We have many options for a screen door with pet door in it, but the only Screen door pet doors combination we have is the Bug off Instant or Hanging Screen Doors.

I need a pet door for metal screen doors, do you have dog door for screens?

Screen doors for pets come in many forms. We recommend the Hale Pet Door for Screens due to the variety of sizes, high quality, stabelizer bar and long warranty.

To determine which doggy door for RV you need, you'll need to identify where you are installing it and the thickness of that surface. You'll also need to know the size of your dog to determine the pet door size. Lastly, you'll want to ensure you have enough height and width clearance for the rough cut out and outside frame dimension. Our expert Customer Service team can help you through the process.

Do you sell a screen door with a pet door in it?

We do not sell screen doors with pet doors. However, we sell a large variety of pet doors designed to be installed in an existing screen door. This saves you the trouble and cost of replacing your current screen door.