How To Insulate a Pet Door Flap

Whenever you make a hole in a door or wall to install a pet door, the pet door flap will be a weak spot in your home weather insulation. What can you do about it?

Start Out Right

The best way to solve the problem of weatherproofing around your pet door is to install a new pet door that is designed with weatherproofing features. These pet doors might be a little more expensive but they will save you money in the long run on energy bills. If your pet door is old you may want to consider replacing it, even if it is still functioning. The insulation upgrades in recent models may outweigh the time it will take to modify an older pet door.

Major Problem

The major problem with insulating a pet door flap is that you can only make changes that do not affect the efficient working of the pet door. Before you make any changes to an existing flap you must be sure that your pet will still be able to use the door freely.

Where is the Insulation Needed?

While you might be aware that your pet door is compromising your warmth in the winter and your cool air in the summer, you will want to check around the pet door to find out exactly where the where the air is passing through. Often you will find that the main area of concern is the frame of the pet door where it attaches to the face of the door.

Seal the Pet Door Frame to the Door

Your pet door is held to the door by screws and can be easily removed. To seal the frame of the pet door, release the frame and clean the areas where it is in contact with the door. Clean the areas on the door that are in contact with the frame. Install a draft proofing strip around the door aperture so that it will be under the pet door frame. Fix the pet door frame back in place and tighten the screws. You should notice an immediate reduction in the amount of draft around the pet door. A bead of silicone sealer around the outside of the frame tight up against the door will make the seal stronger and add water proofing.

Rubber Insulation

It is possible to fit some light rubber insulation to either or both sides of the pet door flap. This will make the flap a little thicker and reduce the amount of heat conduction into or out of the house. When choosing the rubber insulation you should be aware of the weight and how it might affect the use of your pet of the pet door. If your pet door flap had been transparent, your pet might need reassuring that the pet door is still safe to use now that it is opaque because of the lining.

Sealing Brushes

For some pet doors it is possible to buy plastic or rubber brush strips that are designed to fit in the pet door frame around the flap. These brushes can help reduce drafts and the ingress of water. As before ensure that the brushes will not affect your pet’s use of the door.

It is inevitable that some loss of weatherproofing of your home will result from making a hole in a door. By reducing the effect of that hole with sensible insulation you will reduce the effect. Certainly, an insulated pet door will have less impact on your home's temperature than having to repeatedly open the door to allow your pet in and out of the house.