Choosing Cat Flap Insulation
If you keep your cat's flap open, it may create a draft. This is a common problem encountered by cat owners.
A draught excluder can help minimise cold air entering the home, but an animal flap that is insulated can provide more protection from the elements. Tomsgates offers a selection of insulated cat flaps and dog doors that can be used for any kind of installation, including wall-mounted installations.
The Material
Insulation is one of the most important aspects of the cat-door. Insulation is what keeps cold air out and warm inside. There are a variety of ways that insulation can be created however the most important factor is the material the flap is constructed from.
Doors with triple or double flaps offer greater insulation and prevent cold air from entering your home. You can also purchase draught-exclusions to wrap around the frame and reduce drafts. Be aware that these will not prevent cold air from entering your home if you are also trying to open the door for your cat.
Another alternative is to fill the space left behind by your cat flap with some form of insulation such as styrofoam. This will help to stop cold air from entering your home, while also making it less noisy that is produced when your cat uses their pet door. If you choose to do this, you must measure the hole your cat flap created and select an appropriate filler to match the fabric.
A great choice for a cat flap that has high levels of insulation is the RANGER pet door made by Freedom Pet Pass. This door features a thick, insulated seal that reduces the loss of heat. It also has a durable magnetic seal that prevents cold air and wind from entering through the flap. Its celluloid PVC frame is 3,000X better insulation than the aluminum material that is used in the frames of lesser pet doors.
Wind Resistance
When a cat door is opened and closed, it creates draft that means cold air can enter your home even though the flap is closed. Some manufacturers add draught-excluders to the flap opening, which are brushes. If you plan to use a cat flap to combat colder weather, ensure that your door is sealed tightly when closed and there aren't any gaps that allow cold air to enter.
It is possible to help your cat's keep the door shut against winds by using a sturdy magnetic seal. But, you should also consider the overall construction of a pet-door and its materials. The best doors for cold weather are made of materials that are insulating. This includes thick PVC flaps and a frame that is able to stand up to temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. This keeps warm air out and stop cold air from getting inside.
Look for a design with double-flaps, which can withstand both heat and cold and also high winds. These models are more expensive than the single-flap versions, but they can save you money on energy bills over time. This is important if you live somewhere that has severe winters and harsh summers.
Check reviews before buying a cold-weather cat flap to see which models have the best reviews and provide the most protection from the elements. The Ideal Pet Products Designer Series Ruff-Weather Pet Door is a well-loved choice because it offers great insulation and a durable flap, as well as an easy-to-install and tamper-proof design. The Endura Flap Double Flap Wall Mount Dog & Cat Door is another great choice, with a lot of customers praise its ability to withstand extreme cold and wind, while still offering the ability for their cats to go in and out without hassle.
The Magnetic Seal
In cold weather, a well shut cat flap is vital to minimize energy loss. This is why the most effective cat flap insulation comes with a magnetic closure. These magnets keep the door closed, even when your pet is in the room. Some models also have an outer panel that can be used to lock or unlock your pet if needed.
A good cat flap must be able to withstand the wind and be secured with a magnetic seal. You don't want your cat's door to be blown open by wind in winter, because this could allow cold air to enter your home, which will increase your heating costs. A good cat flap for cold weather will be sealed with a strong magnetic seal that can withstand winds up to 50 miles per hour, and a lot of them are also insulated to prevent heat loss through the door.
One of the best cold-weather cat flaps available on the market is the Security Boss insulated pet door. It is insulated in both the door and frame to provide the highest amount of insulation. It comes with an Snap On closing panel that you can put into the door if the weather is cold to keep your pet indoors.
The RANGER pet gate by Freedom Pet Pass is another excellent alternative. The door is insulated using thick, cellular PVC to limit heat loss and keep your home warm. The frame is joined using technology from the automotive industry to make it strong and durable for cold-weather conditions.
The Baboni pet doors are another ideal option for those who live in colder weather. It is constructed from aluminum alloy that is of aerospace quality as well as steel, which is welded by using laser welding technology, which is used in the automotive industry. Its design is able to withstand harsh weather, and it can be positioned on different wall materials. window cat flap form an air pocket that offers insulation and energy efficiency and it comes with an option to tunnel the door add to the door for more protection during severe weather.
The Design
If you want to keep your home warm, and avoid drafts, then consider a cat door that has insulation features. It could be a dual-flap design or a frame made of aluminum, which is less thermally conduction than PVC or Plastic. Certain models also have brushes that block drafts and reduce the loss of energy. You can find doors with these features by looking for words such as "insulation," weatherproof seals," and "energy efficiency" in the description of the product.
A lot of modern cat doors that are made specifically for use in cold climates have an array of insulation features. The Endura Flap Pet Door, for instance, comes with a dual-flap system and an insulated frame that can withstand harsh weather conditions and stop drafts. It is also green and is made of an organic polyolefin polymer that is safe for your pets and the planet.
Even if your cat flap is insulated, you may find that cold air can still pass through the gap created between the door frame or window and the existing wall. The flap creates a draft when it is opened. Some manufacturers attempt to minimize this by putting a draught-exclusion device around the outside of a flap. However it is crucial to remember that your cat must be able open and close the doors quickly so that they can move in and out as needed.
Installing an entirely new pet door, such as Freedom Pet Pass' RANGER designed for cold weather is an effective option. The RANGER pet door features a thicker, more insulated flap which helps reduce the conductive heat by reducing amount of energy lost through the material. It can also endure extreme temperatures, such as 40 degrees Celsius. This level of protection could be comparable to double-pane windows but at a fraction of the cost.