Can You Put a Dog Door in a Metal Door? (How to Install One)

Yes, you can put a dog door in a metal door. Most steel entry doors are about 1 3/4" thick with a foam core, which is within the 1 1/4" to 2" range that door-mount pet doors are made for. You cut the opening the same way as in a wood door, just with a blade made for metal. The one door you should not cut is a fire-rated door, such as the door between an attached garage and the house.

Before you cut: 5 things to check

1. Is it fire-rated? Look for a label on the hinge edge of the door. The door between an attached garage and your home is required by the International Residential Code (R302.5.1, adopted by many US cities) to be solid wood or steel at least 1 3/8" thick, or 20-minute fire-rated, and self-closing. Cutting a pet door into it defeats its purpose. See dog doors for garages for other options.
2. How thick is it? Measure the door edge. Security Boss door mounts fit doors 1 1/4" to 2" thick.
3. Where can the opening go? You need a flat area big enough for the pet door, at least 3" from the door's edges, and below any glass or decorative panels.
4. Who made the door? Cutting a door can affect the door maker's warranty. Check before you cut.
5. Is it a storm door? Aluminum storm doors are much thinner than entry doors. Use a pet door made for them, like the Security Boss Heavy Duty Storm Door.

The best dog doors for metal doors

Any door-mount pet door that fits your door's thickness will work. A metal door is often an entry or back door, so a locking, well-sealed pet door is worth it.

Compare every option in dog doors for doors.

Tools you'll need

• Jigsaw or reciprocating saw with metal-cutting blades (bring spares)
• Drill with a bit large enough to start the saw blade
• Pencil or marker, tape measure and level
• Painter's tape to protect the door's finish
• Metal file, and touch-up paint or primer for the cut edges
• Screwdrivers and exterior caulk
• Safety glasses and gloves

Security Boss door mounts come with screws (including one-way security screws for a tamper-proof install), a drill bit for the pilot holes and the locking security panel.

How to install a dog door in a metal door

These steps follow Security Boss's door-mount instructions, which say to install metal doors the same way as wood doors, using a blade made for cutting metal.

1. Pick the size. The top of the flap opening should be about 2" taller than your dog's shoulders, with a bottom your dog can step over comfortably.
2. Choose the spot. Keep the cut-out at least 3" from the edges of the door. If your pet door's security panel lifts out from the top, leave room above the frame to slide it out.
3. Mark the opening. Put painter's tape over the area, then trace the pet door's flange or mark the rough-cut size from the table below. Check it's level.
4. Drill starter holes in two diagonal corners, inside your lines, big enough for the saw blade.
5. Cut the opening with a metal-cutting blade, following the lines. Go slowly so the blade doesn't overheat. Steel doors have a metal skin on each side with foam or another core in between, so you're cutting through all of it.
6. Clean up the edges. File off burrs, clear any loose foam, and paint or prime the raw steel edges so they don't rust.
7. Fit the frames. Separate the interior and exterior frames and remove the security panel. Put the inner frame into the opening from inside, then fit the outer frame from outside so the two sleeve together.
8. Fasten it. Using the pre-drilled pilot holes, drill and drive one screw, level the door, then add the rest.
9. Seal it. Fill any gaps and seal the edges with caulk.

Rough-cut sizes (MaxSeal door mount)

These are exact sizes from Security Boss. You can add slightly depending on how accurate your cut is. Other models have their own rough-cut sizes on the product page.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a wood blade. It dulls in seconds on steel and can tear the skin.
• Cutting too close to the edge. Stay 3" in so the door stays strong.
• Leaving bare metal. Unpainted cut edges can rust, especially on an exterior door.
• Forgetting the security panel. Make sure you can remove and lock the panel once the door is in.
• Cutting a fire door. Never cut a fire-rated door, like the garage-to-house door.

Don't want to cut your metal door?

• Put the pet door through a nearby wall instead. See how to install a dog door in a wall.
• Use a no-cut sliding glass door insert or window insert.
• Have it installed for you: we can arrange a professional installer anywhere in the US. Call 737-215-3211 or email support@puppyfeverpro.com.

Frequently asked questions

Can you put a doggy door in a steel door?

Yes. Steel entry doors are usually 1 3/4" thick, which fits door-mount pet doors made for doors 1 1/4" to 2" thick. Cut the opening with a metal-cutting blade and seal the cut edges.

Can you put a dog door in a fiberglass door?

Fiberglass entry doors are also typically built around a foam core, so the process is the same: check the thickness, stay 3" from the edges, and use a fine-tooth blade. Check the door maker's warranty first.

Will cutting a metal door make it rust?

Bare steel at the cut edge can rust if it's left exposed. File the edges smooth and paint or prime them before you fit the pet door. The pet door's frame then covers the edges.

Can I put a dog door in the door from my garage to the house?

That door is usually required to be fire-rated and self-closing, so cutting it isn't a good idea. Use a wall or another door instead. See dog doors for garages.

How much does it cost?

The pet door starts around $181. A handyman typically charges $100 to $200 to install it in a door. See dog door installation cost for the full breakdown.

Shop dog doors for doors or browse all Security Boss dog doors.