3 Pet Screen Door Types

A pet screen door allows your pet to enter and leave the house without you having to play the doorman. They no longer have to scratch at the wood or your leg to get your attention and you no longer have to get up late at night or early morning to prevent an accident.

3 Types of Screen Doors

1. Standard Flap Screen

Flap screen doors are the tried-and-true doors that have been around for years. They consist of a frame of either steel or plastic and vinyl flaps to allow in and out access for your pet. The challenge with this type of door is that there is no guard to keep out wandering neighborhood pets or forest friends like raccoons or possums.

Installation is a simple process of using the manufacturer's template and cutting the hole in the door or wall area of choice, then snapping the frame into place. They come in sizes ranging from 6-inch (for cats and small dogs) up to 27-inch openings.

Design variations include some unique applications for:

• Garage doors - These can be a bit tricky since you need to be sure the door is installed under the first automatic garage door fold. If the door is too low and requires a larger dog to dip to get through, over time, this can cause your pet joint problems.
• French doors - These are designed to fit within the glass panels of the door. Ease of installation and removal allows you to be able to replace the glass in the french door when the pet's access in no longer needed.
• Sliding glass doors - Instead of cutting a hole in a screen, these doors provide a panel that fits securely in a sliding glass door or window. The panel is a secured system that locks the panel in.
• Energy Efficient doors - These doors are similar to a double paned window, with a 2-flap door system providing environmental protection from the seasons.

2. Electronic Doors

Where the standard pet screen door uses a flap system, electronic systems use sliding doors. They require a bit more room to install but are still relatively easy. They do need a power source since the door needs electricity to operate. The collar-trigger system provided lock-out protection, preventing stray animals from wandering in. Your pet has a collar that contains an infrared signaling system so when it gets within 5 feet of the door, it will automatically rise. Without this trigger, it remains locked. Electronic doors are battery powered, usually a 9-volt is needed, so have extras on hand.

3. Magnet Doors

These work much like the electronic pet screen door but use magnetic power instead of electric power. These pet door systems comes with an insulated flap, and magnetic clips that attach to your pet. This system uses a clever multi-magnet design that triggers when your critter approaches the door which then unlocks the flap.