Pet doors are a convenient way to let your pet explore the outdoors as necessary while you relax. Equipping your pet with independence also grants you some independence. But often shopping for a pet door can be overwhelming with so many options, especially if you haven’t had experience using a pet door in the past. Here are some factors you need to consider when you’re looking.
PLACEMENT
The first thing you should decide is where to put your pet door. If you’re building a custom home, consult your builder for recommendations for the best place. Sometimes you can build them straight into your wall. You’ll have options available for wall or door inserts — even for glass patio door inserts. Consider placement that is both aesthetically pleasing as well as practical.
Pro tip: If you’re cutting into an existing wall for your pet door, make sure the location you’ve chosen is free of pipes, electrical lines, and wall studs.
SIZE
You’ll want to make sure you’re choosing the right size door for your pet too. Measure your pet’s height from the top of their shoulders to the floor for the correct size. If you have multiple pets, size the door according to the biggest pet. If your pet is between sizes, you should choose the bigger option. If the door is too small, your pets could get injured going in and out, and hunching is bad for them in the long term.
Once you’ve chosen the correct door size, consider how low to the ground it should be. The distance from the bottom of the flap to the floor or ground is called the stepover. You’ll want to make sure your pet can lift their feet high enough to easily walk or jump through the opening.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
There are multiple reasons for wanting to keep the outside elements out, but one of the biggest is energy efficiency, especially for those of us who experience Maine winters. You’ll certainly want to consider this factor when you’re shopping for pet doors.
For pet doors, energy efficiency looks like a door that’s more than just a flap of vinyl. You should look for insulated flaps and a tight seal for effective protection from the outside elements. It true that energy-efficient pet doors are more expensive, but they are worth it in the long term for sure.
Pro tip: Check out a pet door’s air leakage and U-factor details to find out how energy efficient they’ll be. The air infiltration number shows how many cubic feet of air will enter through the product per square foot of wall space that the product occupies when under a specific negative pressure. The U-factor value shows the rate at which a window or door conducts heat (a smaller number is better here).
LOCKING PANEL
Another feature to consider is a locking panel for your pet door. If your pet is on the larger side, your pet door might be big enough for a human to fit through. Or perhaps there are times you want to keep your pet indoors or outdoors for some time. Make sure you consider the effectiveness of your pet door’s locking panel for securing your home — not just as a precaution but also for peace of mind.
SUPPORT
Finally, when you’re looking for a pet door, make sure you’re looking at a pet door company that will support you. Look for proof that this is a good door by reading review or even lab testing results.
An effective pet door can be a significant investment, so make sure it’s easy to install and comes with instructions readily available. Note any extras you’ll have to purchase beforehand, such as caulking or other tools you mind not have on hand.
We also recommend choosing a pet door that comes with a warranty. Accidents happen with pets, and it’s better to protect your investment. Plus, an offered warranty is a signal that the company stands by their product.