Three Common Concerns to Address before Installing a Pet Door
Installing a pet door in your home will give your canine or feline companion more freedom and autonomy. This feature is highly beneficial if you are not always around your home to open the main door for your domestic animal. Also, you will not have to spend a lot of time acting as a gatekeeper. On the other hand, you must address the common concerns which could affect the functionality and performance of the pet door before proceeding.
Door Location
Most homeowners prefer to mount pet doors in the normal entryways because the installation is simple and convenient. In simple terms, doors are easy to modify because the structure consists of simple panels. You can choose to have the small door within the garage, patio or main entrance doors. Alternatively, you can install the pet door as an independent structure in the wall. However, this choice has more implications in terms of structural alterations.
Typically, you must create a hole through which you will place the feature. Moreover, you must purchase a pet door intended to match the nature and thickness of residential walls. You should note that the location of the door can change the dynamics of your living space. You should expect to see your pet more often in the vicinity of their entryway. Therefore, you should reorganise the affected room to match the pet's behaviours.
Insulation
When installing a pet door, you should consider the potential effects of adverse weather. For example, this feature will contribute to heating and cooling inefficiencies when the region is cold or hot. Therefore, you should make sure that the pet door is designed to offer optimal protection against harsh climatic conditions. It is crucial for you to choose a pet door with thermal insulation properties. There are high-quality flap and panel doors in the market which have dual panes to prevent heat gain and loss. Also, you should make sure that the door forms a tight seal around the edges when not in use.
Access Control
One of the common challenges posed by pet doors is the access by stray creatures, rodents and pests. This problem can compromise the safety and security of your home. If this is a concern in your area, you should consider installing an electronic door. This type of pet door is designed to recognise the frequency from a RFID pet microchip. Therefore, only your pet can gain entry through the opening.
Discuss all your pet door options with your supplier before making your final decision.