Cat Doors For a Screen

In the world of screen dog doors and cat doors, these easy installation pet door mounts for window screens and door screens are perfect for your cat or small dog. If it’s mild weather and you’ve got the window open for ventilation, a cat flap in the screen is a great idea, and more effective than installing through the window itself. These install directly into the screen mesh rather than the screen frame, so the window type won't matter; install it in horizontal or sash windows. Many sliding glass doors or patio screen doors will also come with a sliding screen door made of mesh. These are great products for this method of installation too.

We do not carry the screen door with cat flap already installed because they’re simple to install: With the screen lying on the living room floor, clamp the two pet door frames together and cut out the screen in the center so the flap can swing through. Some door models will come with a screen pre-installed like the Ideal Pet Products aluminum frame and plastic flap, while others will use the screen mesh from your existing screen, like the PetSafe pet screen door. Strong, wire screen is best. You can find specific installation instructions for door screen doors and window screens on each product's page.

Avoid weak fiberglass screens that may not stand up to the impact of a pet going in and out. Cat screen doors tend to hold up better because cats are a little gentler on them then rowdy dogs. Most of these doors are not as heavy-duty as doggie doors meant for large dogs and larger flap sizes, like the Hale dog screen door flap.

There are a few different materials the screen pet doors may use. Most will use your existing screen material to fill out the middle, so the pet door is really just a plastic frame. On the Hale, the flap is a flexible vinyl like on your usually pet door, and finally, the screen door flap on the Ideal Screen-Fit is a thin plastic sheet.

If you are looking for a flap opening for a security screen, Ideal makes a Screen Guard Pet Door.