Choosing Cat Flap Insulation
A cat flap can create a draught if it's left open. This is a common issue encountered by cat owners.
A draught-excluder can help reduce the amount of cold air that is able to enter the home. However an animal flap can provide better protection against the elements. Tomsgates offers a variety of dog doors insulated and cat flaps that are suitable for any type of installation including wall-mounted installations.
The Material
Insulation is among the most important characteristics of the cat-door. Insulation keeps cold air out and warm inside. Insulation can be accomplished in a variety of ways but the material from which the flap is made is the most important.
cat flap in bifold doors will not accomplish much in terms of insulation for your home However, doors with dual or triple flaps are more efficient in insulation and stop cold air from entering the home. You can also purchase draft restrictors that are fitted around the frame of the flap and help reduce drafts. However, it is important to keep in mind that these won't stop the cold air from entering if your cat is trying to use their door at the same time.
Fill in the gap left by your cat's flap with insulation like styrofoam. This will block cold air from entering your home and reduce the noise generated by your cat using their pet door. If you decide to do this, you should take a measurement of the hole your cat's flap created and select an appropriate filler to match the fabric.
A great choice for an animal flap that provides high levels of insulation is the RANGER pet door by Freedom Pet Pass. This door comes with a strong and insulated seal, which reduces the loss of heat. It also has a durable magnetic seal to stop cold air and wind from leaking through the flap. Its celluloid PVC frame is 3,000X better insulating than the aluminum material used in the frames of lesser pet doors.
Wind Resistance
When a cat's flap is closed, cold air can still get into your home even though the flap is open. Certain manufacturers include draught-excluders in the flap opening which are essentially brushes. But, if you're searching for a true cold weather cat flap insulation you will need to make sure that your door can seal tightly when closed, and that there are no gaps through which cold air can get in.
A strong magnetic seal is one way to help your cat flap stay shut against the wind, but you should also take a look at the overall construction and materials used in a pet door. The best pet doors for cold weather are made of materials that are insulating. They include thick PVC flaps and frames that can stand up to temperatures as low as 40 degrees Celsius. This keeps warm air out and block cold air from getting inside.
It is also recommended to look for double-flap models that can resist both cold and heat, as well as high winds. These will be more expensive than single-flap designs, but they are a good investment that will allow you to save money on energy costs in the long run. This is especially important if you live somewhere that has extreme summers and winters.
If you are considering buying a winter cat flap look over the reviews to see which models have the highest ratings and provide the most protection against 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, safe from tampering. Endura Flap Double Flap Wall Mount Dog & Cat Door is a different option. Many customers have praised its ability to withstand cold and wind without hindering their freedom for their cats.
The Magnetic Seal
When it comes to cold weather, the ability to seal a cat flap tightly is the key to reducing energy loss. This is why the best cat flap insulation is designed with an magnetic closure. The magnets keep the door closed, even when your pet is inside the door. In addition, some models have an outer closing panel that you can use to lock your pet in or out, if needed.
A solid magnetic seal is crucial for colder weather however, a great cat flap should also be able to withstand wind. You don't want the cat door to be blown open by the winds in winter, since it will let cold air into your home, which will increase your heating bill. A good cold-weather cat flap will be sealed with an extremely strong magnetic seal that can withstand winds up to 50 miles per hour, and many of these models are also insulated to reduce heat loss through the door.
The Security Boss pet door is one of the top cat flaps for cold weather available. This model is insulated in both the door as well as the frame to provide the highest 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 indoors.
The RANGER pet gate by Freedom Pet Pass is another fantastic option. The door is insulated with thick, cellular PVC to reduce conductive heat loss and keep your home warm. The frame is also welded with technology used in automotive manufacturing to make it strong and durable for cold weather conditions.
The Baboni pet doors are a great choice for cold weather. It is constructed of aerospace-grade aluminum alloy and metal, and is welded with laser welding technology that is used in the automotive industry. Its design makes it impervious to harsh weather and can be incorporated into various wall materials. The double flaps provide insulation and energy efficiency. A tunnel kit can be incorporated into the door to provide extra protection during extreme weather.
The Design
If you want to keep your home warm, and prevent drafts from entering, look for a cat door that has insulation features. It could be a dual-flap system or a frame made from aluminum which has lower thermal conduction than PVC or Plastic. Certain models come with brushes that reduce the loss of energy and stop drafts. You can find doors with these features by searching for words such as "insulation," weatherproof seals," and "energy efficiency" in the description of the product.
Modern cat doors, specifically designed for cold climates, have a variety of insulation features. The Endura Flap Pet Door, for instance, comes with a dual-flap design and an insulated framework that is able to withstand harsh weather conditions and stop drafts. It is also eco-friendly, because it is made of a non-toxic polyolefin substance that is safe for both your pets and the environment.
Even even if your cat flap is well-insulated however, cold air can still flow through the gap created between the frame of the door or window and the existing wall. The flap creates draft when it is opened. Some manufacturers attempt to limit this by offering what is known as a draught excluder which is placed around the outside of the flap, but it is important to remember that your cat needs to be capable of opening and closing the door with ease so that they can go into and out when they need to.
Installing an entirely new pet door, like Freedom Pet Pass' RANGER one, which is specifically designed for cold weather is an effective option. The RANGER pet doors have a thicker, insulated door that blocks the conductive heating. It also has the ability to stand up to extreme cold, and protect against temperatures of -40 ° Celsius and lower. This level of protection could be compared to double-pane windows, but at less cost.