If you keep your cat's flap open, it could create a draft. This is a frequent issue encountered by cat owners.
A draught excluder can help minimise cold air entering the house, but a cat flap that is insulated can provide more protection from the elements. Tomsgates provides a range of insulated dog doors and cat flaps that work for any type of installation, including wall installations.
The Material
One of the most important aspects of a cat door is its insulation. Insulation is what keeps cold air out and warm in. Insulation can be achieved in many ways, but the material that the flap is constructed is the most crucial.
A single flap won't make much difference in insulating your home But doors with dual or triple flaps are far more insulated and stop cold air from entering the home. You can also buy draught-exclusion devices to go around the frame and reduce drafts. However, it is important to bear in mind that they will not prevent cold air from entering when your cat is trying to use their door at the same simultaneously.
Another option is to cover the space left behind by your cat's flap some form of insulation, like styrofoam. This will prevent cold air from entering your home, while also making it less noisy that occurs when your cat uses their pet door. If you decide to do this, you must measure the hole your cat flap has created and choose a filler that is compatible with the fabric.
The RANGER pet entry door from Freedom Pet Pass is an excellent option for a high-quality cat flap. The door has a thick and insulated seal, which reduces the loss of heat. It also has an elastomeric seal that blocks cold air or wind from entering through the flap. Its cellular PVC frame is 3,000X more insulating than the aluminum used in the frames of lesser pet doors.
Wind Resistance
When a cat flap is closed, cold air may still enter your home when the flap is open. Some manufacturers add draught-excluders to the flap opening that are brushes. If you want to use a cat flap for colder weather, make sure your door seals tightly when closed and there aren't any gaps through which let cold air in.
It is possible to help your cat's keep the door shut against winds by using a sturdy magnetic seal. However, you must take into consideration the overall design of the pet-door as well as its materials. The best doors for cold weather will be made from materials that are insulating, including thick PVC flaps and a plastic frame that can resist temperatures of as low as -40° Celsius. This will keep warm air out and stop cold air from entering.
Choose a model with double-flaps, which can withstand both heat and cold and high winds. These are more expensive than single-flap versions, but they can save you money on energy costs over time. This is especially important if you reside in a region that experiences severe winters and harsh summers.
Read reviews before purchasing a cat flap for cold weather to see which models have the most favorable reviews and offer the most protection from the elements. The Ideal Pet Products Designer Series Ruff-Weather Pet Door is a popular choice because it provides excellent insulation and a tough flap, as well as an easy-to-install, tamper-proof design. cat flap installers & Cat Door, another excellent choice. Many customers have praised its ability to resist the elements of wind and cold without restricting the freedom of their cats.
The Magnetic Seal
In winter, a tightly closed cat flap is crucial to minimize energy loss. This is why the best cat flap insulation is made with the use of a magnetic closure. The magnets keep the door closed even when your pet is inside the room. Some models have an outer closing panel that you can use to lock your pet inside or out, if needed.
A strong magnetic seal is vital in colder weather, but a good cat flap should also be able to stand up to wind. You don't want your cat door to be blown open by winds in winter, since this could allow cold air into your home, which will increase the cost of heating. A good cold-weather model will have magnetic seals that can withstand wind speeds that exceed 50 miles an hour. A lot models also come with insulation to prevent heat loss.
One of the best cold-weather cat flaps on the market is the Security Boss insulated pet door. The model is insulated inside both the door as well as the frame to provide the maximum amount of insulation. It also comes with an opening panel that snaps on so you can slide into when the weather isn't great to keep your pets indoors.
Another option that is great is the RANGER pet door from Freedom Pet Pass. This door is insulated using thick celluloid PVC in order to reduce heat loss through conduction and keep your house warm. In addition, the frame is welded with the help of technology from the automotive industry to make it tough and durable in cold weather.
The Baboni pet doors are another excellent option for cold weather. It is made of aerospace-quality aluminum alloy and metal and is welded using laser welding technology, which is utilized in the automobile industry. Its design makes it immune to harsh weather conditions and can be used in many wall materials. Its double flaps offer insulation and energy efficiency. A tunnel kit can be incorporated into the door to give it extra protection against extreme weather.
The Design
When selecting a cat door to keep your home warm and draft free it is recommended to choose a door with insulation features. This could be the dual flap system or a frame that is thermally efficient constructed from a material such as aluminum which is less thermally conductive than PVC or plastic. Some models also come with brushes that stop drafts and help to reduce the loss of energy. You can locate doors with these features by looking for words such as "insulation," weatherproof seals," and "energy efficiency" within the product description.
Many of the modern cat doors that are designed specifically for cold climates have various insulation options. The Endura Flap pet door, for instance, features two flaps and an constructed with an insulated frame that is able to withstand extreme weather conditions, assisting to keep out drafts and heat loss. It is also eco-friendly as it is made of a non-toxic polyolefin substance that is safe for both your pets and the environment.
Even if your cat flap is insulated it is possible that cold air still flows through the gap created between the frame of the door or window and the existing wall. This is because the flap itself produces draft when it is opened. Some manufacturers attempt to reduce this by placing a draught-excluder around the outside of a flap. However, it is important to keep in mind that your cat must be able to open and shut the doors easily so that they can be able to enter and exit the door as they need to.
Installing a new pet door, such as Freedom Pet Pass' RANGER one, which is specifically designed for cold weather, is an effective option. The RANGER pet doors have an extra thick, insulated door that cuts down on the heating that is conductive. It can also withstand extreme cold, protecting against temperatures of -40 ° Celsius and lower. This level of protection is similar to double-paned windows, however for a fraction of their price.