The Best Insulated Doggie Doors for Cold Regions

If your dog loves going outdoors often, the best thing you can do is get them a dog door. And not just any dog door, but an insulated doggie door. If you live in areas with colder climates, you know how cold air drafts are always looking for an opening to enter your house. And you’ll end up spending more money heating your house. The best insulated doggie doors should effectively let your dog in and out without bringing in drafts.

What to look for in an insulated dog door

Before I review some of the best models, below are some features to consider when purchasing insulated dog doors.

Location

You can install a dog door either at the door or one of the walls. Dog doors designed for house doors are the most common and more comfortable to install. They should also be suitable for metal, PVC, wood, or any other door types you may have.

On the other hand, wall entry dog doors are tunnels that run from the inside of your house to the wall’s outer side. Their installation is more complicated since you have to break through bricks, siding, drywall, or other wall materials.

Size

Consider your dog’s size before purchasing an insulated doggie door. If it’s too large, it will allow some air into the house every time the dog uses it. And if it’s too small, it will not serve the intended purpose.

Image retrieved from Getty images

Materials

Insulated doggie doors should withstand extreme weather conditions such as harsh winds and cold temperatures. Aluminum is better since it rarely cracks, but it may cost more than plastic.

It would also help if they had double flaps, which are more efficient in insulating than single flaps.

And several magnetic seals to automatically lock any air openings every time your pet uses the door.

The Best Insulated Doggie Doors

Model	Type	Features
PetSafe Wall Entry Pet Doors	Wall-Entry	Dimensions – 10.25*16.25 inchesDouble-flap design.Telescoping tunnel – 4.75 to 7.25 inchesUV-resistant PVC frameMagnets for sealing the flaps.
PetSafe Plastic Pet Door	Door-Entry	Plastic frameDoor thickness – 1/16 to 2 inchesSingle flapMagnetic seals4 sizes – up to 220 pounds.Closing panel
PetSafe Extreme Weather Dog and Cat Door	Door-Entry	3 Flap systemDoor thickness – 1 5/8 – 2 ¼ inchesMagnetic sealsPlastic and metal frames available.1-year warranty.
PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Dog and Cat Door	Door-Entry	Sturdy aluminum frameDoor thickness -3/8 to 2 inchesIt comes in 4 sizes.Slide-in closing panel
BarksBar Original Plastic Door	Door-Entry	Size – 10.5 by 15 inchesPlastic frame with aluminum lining.Door-thickness – 1 ¼ to 2 inchesIt’s chew proof

PetSafe Wall Entry Pet Doors

Backed by more than 3000 positive reviews and manufactured by a reputable brand, you have every reason to trust this pet door.

Wall-Entry

It’s designed for installing along the wall. With a telescoping width ranging from 4.75 to 7.25 inches, it’s suitable for most wall thicknesses. If your wall is thicker than 7.25 inches, you can get an extension kit from the manufacturer.

Image retrieved from pixabay

Energy Efficiency

This pet door comes with a double-flap that effectively shields your house from drafts. And a slide-in panel that ensures insulation when the door is not in use. It’s also made of PVC, which is UV-resistant and cost-efficient.

Ease of Installation

This door comes with easy-to-follow guidelines. You don’t need to spend more money on a technician since you can do it yourself. Just measure your dog’s height and width, cut the opening, and install the door.

Size

Speaking about dimensions, the size of this door is 10.25*16.25 inches. It’s ideal for medium-sized to large dogs that weigh up to 100 pounds.

User Impressions

Most users agreed that it works as advertised. The flaps quickly fell into place after the dog used the door, and it blocked most of the cold air. However, the installation process wasn’t that straightforward, but it’s doable.

They found that you have to use the right tools and don’t just rely on the door’s insulation. You should add insulation materials, too, around the tunnel.

PetSafe Plastic Pet Door

This is another top-rated pet door that’s perfect for those on a budget.

Door-Entry

If you’re looking for an insulated doggie door that will match your door and overall home decor, look no further. It even allows you to paint the frame. This pet door also comes with a closing panel that allows you to lock the door at night or when you don’t want them going outside.

Energy Efficiency

This pet door has a single flap with magnetic seals to keep it locked when the dog is not using it. Since it doesn’t offer total insulation than double flaps, it is best suited for areas with warmer climates.

Ease of Installation

The manufacturer provides instructions on how to install this pet door and the appropriate tools to use.

Size

It comes in 4 sizes;

• Small – 15 pounds or lighter.
• Medium – 16 to 40 pounds
• Large – 41 to 100 pounds
• Extra Large – 101 to 220 pounds

This door is also suitable for doors ranging from 1/16 to 2 inches in thickness.

User Impressions

Most users found it convenient for small to medium-sized dogs. Dogs also didn’t have a hard time using it, thanks to the light plastic flap. And even though the installation had some issues due to the plastic screws, most users found their way around it. Buying metal screws seemed to be the better option.

However, there are some complaints about this dog door letting cold air. The instructions advise that you can use duct tape, but it still doesn’t offer 100% insulation – but none of the doors ever does.

PetSafe Extreme Weather Dog and Cat Door

This is the best all-round insulated doggie door suitable for those with one pet and those living in a multi-pet household.

Door-Entry

It’s a door-entry doggie door that’s designed to fit in most door types. You can also paint the frame to match the door’s color or design.

And when you don’t want your dog going out or want to prevent animals from accessing your house, you can use the closing panel.

Energy Efficiency

Now, this is where this pet door stands out from the rest. While most doggie doors have double-flaps, this model has three flaps. This design ensures you lock all air drafts out of your house.

I also love that you have an option to choose between a plastic frame and an aluminum frame. If you only have one dog, a plastic frame is ideal for moderate usage. But for multi-pet households, you’re better off with an aluminum frame.

Ease-of-installation

Like all the other PetSafe models, it comes with detailed instructions. It’s suitable for doors ranging between 1 5/8 and 2 ¼ inches in thickness. Both frames can easily fit in PVC, metal, wood, and other door materials.

Size

It comes in 3 sizes.

• Medium – 1 – 40 pounds
• Large – 1 – 100 pounds
• Extra-large – 12 to 220 pounds

User Impressions

Based on customer reviews, the 3-flap design worked great in preventing cold air from entering your house. Users also agreed that these flaps were heavy enough to withstand winds. But those who didn’t have some average carpentry skills found the installation process a daunting task.

PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Dog and Cat Door

If you’re looking for an affordable aluminum pet door that will fit into all types of doors, this one’s for you.

Door-Entry

This insulated doggie door comes with a sturdy aluminum frame that can fit in wood, PVC, metal, and other door types.

You can use the slide-in closing panel to keep your dog in the house when it’s not safe and to lock wild animals out.

I find slide-in doors more effective since your dog can’t knock them over.

Energy Efficiency

Featuring a single-flap and magnetic seals, this doors enough insulation against moderate drafts. And if your dog isn’t going outside, you can lock it with the slide-in panel to lock out any drafts that may be leaking through the door.

Ease of Installation

In the package, you’ll get detailed instructions on how to install this door. It’s designed for door thicknesses ranging from 3/8 to 2 inches. Like in the other pet doors, the installation involves removing the door from the hinges and cutting a hole into it. Make sure you have some basic knowledge about how it works before attempting the installation.

Size

It comes in 4 sizes;

• Small – 5 1/8 by 8 1/8 inches (W*H) – 1 to 5 pounds
• Medium – 8 ¼ by 12 ¼ inches (W*H) – 1 to 40 pounds
• Large – 10 ¼ by 16 ¼ inches (W*H) – 1 to 100 pounds
• Extra Large – 13 ¾ by 23 ¾ inches (W*H) – 1 to 220 pounds

User Impressions

Users loved how well it handled being used regularly, especially those with several pets. They also appreciated the slide-in locking mechanism since some dogs and cats could remove the other closing panel design. It was also pretty easy to install for most of them – easier than installing the plastic versions.

And even though it has a single-flap, there were very few complaints about this door letting drafts of air. The only complaint that stood out was that it came with plastic screws while the frame is made of aluminum. But you can purchase stainless-steel screws instead.

BarksBar Original Plastic Door

If you’re looking for an alternative to PetSafe’s products, BarksBar is another reputable brand specializing in pet accessories.

Door-Entry

Featuring a plastic frame and an aluminum lining, this pet door maintains your home decor while sustaining regular use. It’s also chew-proof. You can rest assured that your dog, cat, or wild animals will not rip it off from your door.

It also has a slide-in closing panel for locking the door when your pet isn’t using it.

Energy Efficiency

This pet door features a single-flap and magnetic seals that will not let drafts enter your house. It also doesn’t warp or shrink under extreme cold or hot temperatures, offering as much weatherproofing you can get from a doggie door.

Ease-of-Installation

Installing this door is not any different from the PetSafe insulated dog doors. And it’s suitable for doors ranging from 1 ¼ to 2 inches in thickness.

Size

It only comes in one size, 10.5 by 15 inches, suitable for dogs weighing up to 100 pounds.

User Impressions

Users loved how well it held up in different climates. It didn’t let in drafts, and small-to-medium sized dogs used it comfortably without damaging it. They also found the self-locking panel and magnetic strip very convenient.

Those living in areas with extreme winters stated that the flaps might wear off eventually, but you can purchase new flaps for $10. The only issue was the availability of these flaps of late.

A majority of the users found the installation process relatively easy. Some found it even easier than installing the PetSafe doors, and you may even get a better price deal.

Conclusion

I believe the PetSafe Extreme Weather Dog and Cat Door is the overall winner of all the insulated doggie doors I’ve reviewed. Based on the customer impressions, it stands the test of time in extreme weather and multi-pet households – not forgetting that PetSafe has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing pet products. To purchase this model, and the other models I’ve reviewed, head over to the respective Amazon product’s page.

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