A cat flap can create a draught if it's left open. This is a challenge that many cat owners face.
A draught excluder can help cut down the amount of cold air entering the house. However, a cat flap offers more protection from the elements. Tomsgates offers a selection of insulated cat flaps and dog doors that are suitable for any type of installation including wall installations.
The Material
Insulation is one of the most important aspects of a cat-door. It is the thing that keeps cold air out and warm in. Insulation can be achieved through many ways, but the material that the flap is constructed is the most important.
Doors with double or triple flaps will provide greater insulation and prevent cold air from getting into your home. You can also buy draught-exclusion devices to cover the frame and reduce drafts. Be aware that these will not prevent cold air from entering your home, if you're trying to open the door for your cat.
Another option is to fill in the area left behind by your cat's flap with some form of insulation such as styrofoam. This will prevent cold air from entering your home, and also decreasing the amount of noise that occurs when your cat is using their pet door. It is worth noting that if you choose to do this, it is essential that you measure the hole your cat's flap has made and select a filler material that matches the material surrounding it.
The RANGER pet door by Freedom Pet Pass is an excellent option for a high-quality cat flap. This door features a thick and insulated seal, which reduces heat loss. It also has a magnetic seal that prevents cold air or wind from entering through the flap. Its celluloid PVC frames are 3,000x more insulating that the aluminum frames of pet doors that are inferior.
Wind Resistance
When a cat's flap is closed, cold air can still enter your home when the flap is open. Some manufacturers add draught-excluders the flap opening which are essentially brushes. However, if you're looking for a truly cold cat flap insulation for the winter, you will need to make sure that your door will seal properly when it is shut, and that there are no gaps through which cold air can enter.
It is possible to help your cat's shut the door against wind by using a strong magnetic seal. However, 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, including thick PVC flaps and a frame that can endure temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. This will keep warm air out and block cold air from entering.
Look for a design with double-flaps, which can withstand both heat and cold and also high winds. They will cost more than single-flap models, but they are a good investment that will help you reduce your energy bills in the long term. This is important if you live somewhere that has harsh winters and summers.
Check reviews before buying a cat flap for cold weather to determine which models have the best reviews and provide the most protection from the elements. Ideal Pet Products Designer Series Ruff Weather Pet Door is popular because it comes with a sturdy flap and a simple to install secure, tamper-proof design. The Endura Flap Double Flap Wall Mount Dog & Cat Door is another excellent choice, with a lot of customers commenting on its ability to withstand extreme cold and wind, while still allowing their cats to move in and out freely.
The Magnetic Seal
In colder temperatures, the ability to seal a cat flap tightly is essential to reducing energy loss. The most effective cat flap insulation comes with an opening with a magnetic closure. These magnets help to keep the door closed when your pet is inside. Some models have an outer closing panel that you can use to lock your pet in or out if necessary.
A great cat flap should be able to withstand wind and have a strong magnetic seal. You don't want your cat door to be blown open by the wind in winter, because this will allow cold air to enter your home, which will increase the cost of heating. A high-quality cold-weather cat flap will be sealed with a durable 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 as well as the frame to give the best amount of insulation. It also comes with a Snap-On closing panel that you can slide into when the weather is bad to keep your pets inside.
The RANGER pet gate by Freedom Pet Pass is another fantastic option. The door is insulated using thick, cellular PVC to limit heat loss and keep your home warm. The frame is also welded with automotive technology to make it durable and strong for cold weather conditions.
The Baboni pet door is another ideal option for colder weather. It is constructed of aluminum alloy of aerospace quality and steel, and welded together with laser welding technology that is used in the automotive industry. Its design is able to withstand harsh weather conditions and is able to be installed on a variety of wall materials. The double flaps create an air pocket that offers insulation and energy efficiency, and it also comes with a tunnel kit you can add to the door for additional protection during extreme weather.
The Design
When choosing a cat door that can keep your home warm and free of drafts, you should choose one with insulation features. It could be a dual-flap system or a frame made of aluminum which has lower thermal conduction than PVC or Plastic. Some models also feature brushes that block drafts and help to reduce the loss of energy. Look for the words "insulation," "weatherproof seals," or "energy efficiency" in the description of the product to find a door with these features.
Many of the modern cat doors designed specifically for cold climates come with an array of insulation features. The Endura Flap pet door, for example, has a dual flap system and an insulated frame that is able to withstand harsh weather conditions, helping prevent drafts and heat loss. It is also eco-friendly, since it is constructed of a non-toxic polyolefin that is safe for your pet and the planet.
Even the flap is insulated however, cold air can still pass through the gap between the frame of the door or window and the existing wall. The flap creates draft when it is opened. cat flap installers attempt to minimize this by offering what's called a draught-exclusion device that is placed around the flap's outside however, it is crucial to remember that your cat will need to be capable of opening and closing the door without difficulty so that they can go in and out as they wish.
Installing a new pet door such as Freedom Pet Pass' RANGER one, which is specifically designed for colder weather, is an effective option. The RANGER pet door features a thicker, more insulated flap which helps reduce heating from conductive sources by reducing the amount of energy lost through the material. It also has the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, including -40 degrees Celsius. This degree of protection can be compared to double-pane windows, but at less cost.