Dog Door Insulation Questions

[ziggyboy]

I'm looking at having a dog door installed but I live in Canberra where we get quite a bit of sub zero temps in winter.

For people with dog doors and live in similar climates, how does the door affect indoor temperatures? I have inslab heating and worried that my electric bills will shoot up as a dog door is just a thin piece of plastic. House insulation is currently pretty good and I've got good quality curtains to keep the cold out. A dog door might negate all that and just let the cold in...

Thoughts?

Edited January 18, 2014 by ziggyboy

[Boronia]

You really need one similar to this---> http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3073391

Amazon also have them but be careful and check the postage to Australia as the postage shown is for the US http://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Pet-Products-Ruff-Weather-Telescoping/dp/B0017JWARY

here is an Australian based one http://www.fishpond.com.au/Pets/PetSafe-482-Extreme-Weather-Pet-Door-Small/0729849109841

If you type 'cold weather dog door Australia' into your search bar there are some that you can check-out

[Salukifan]

I have the standard Pet Mate door and haven't found it to be an issue. They give a good seal.

[ziggyboy]

Boronia, that may be what I need but the reviews on the site aren't very good. Did some googling on multi flap doors and there seems to be quite a few available overseas. Haven't seen one from a local store.

Hi Haredon, thanks for the input.

[Burkes]

I live in Canberra and have a Pig in Mud door. I don't find it to lose much heat. On a really really really windy day the flap might blow open but I don't heat the house when I"m not here and when I am I just put the other door on so I can close it.

In this extreme heat I"ve had the curtains pulled over it anyway and the dogs just nudge them aside and go through. Depends if you are happy to have dog nose all over your curtains :D

[Boronia]

Maybe build (or buy a box and cut holes in it) to make something like this http://www.halepetdo...ty-barrier.html

eta this pic from that link-->

Edited January 19, 2014 by Boronia

[ziggyboy]

In this extreme heat I"ve had the curtains pulled over it anyway and the dogs just nudge them aside and go through. Depends if you are happy to have dog nose all over your curtains :D

LOL, my curtains already have quite a bit of dog marks on them. I've recently put a sliding door pet door but it doesn't look good, and reckon bad for security. Easy to kick open.

[ziggyboy]

Maybe build (or buy a box and cut holes in it) to make something like this http://www.halepetdo...ty-barrier.html

eta this pic from that link-->

I like this. Instead of building one though, I can even use a standard dog house and cut the side/rear side. It would make it inconspicuous and burglars wouldn't think there's a doggy door on the wall! Genius!

[Burkes]

In this extreme heat I"ve had the curtains pulled over it anyway and the dogs just nudge them aside and go through. Depends if you are happy to have dog nose all over your curtains :D

LOL, my curtains already have quite a bit of dog marks on them. I've recently put a sliding door pet door but it doesn't look good, and reckon bad for security. Easy to kick open.

Oh yeah, they aren't good for security at all. I figure the 4 large dogs at my place will hopefully be enough. If they are that far in the yard that they are looking at the dog door they were going to break in anyway. I'd rather them not smash stuff :)