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I live in South FL and will be replacing my back entry door which has a doggy door installed. I have 3 dogs and would like them to be able to enjoy the yard as they do now so want to install a doggy door for them but I'd like it to be more solid than the one that we have now. I researched and found several manufacturers that offer extreme weather doors but like with anything else I feel it's best to hear from people who have experience with the product.
I live in South FL and will be replacing my back entry door which has a doggy door installed. I have 3 dogs and would like them to be able to enjoy the yard as they do now so want to install a doggy door for them but I'd like it to be more solid than the one that we have now. I researched and found several manufacturers that offer extreme weather doors but like with anything else I feel it's best to hear from people who have experience with the product.
Not sure what "extreme weather" actually means. Describe what those features are so posters can respond more meaningfully if they have direct experience with them.
Does "extreme weather" mean insulation? Rigid versus more flexible door flaps? Better edge gaskets? More magnets to hold the flap against wind? Door edges that overlap more of the frame to reduce drafts? A door that automatically latches itself while closed requiring the dog to wear a transmitter on its collar in order to release it? A door assembly that includes an inner and an outer door flap?
We've used the PetSafe doors in three houses. Every couple years I replace the flap because it stiffens up and doesn't catch properly.
Yes, I've replaced it once when we had a bad windstorm and the curtains inside got caught in it when the flap was blown open, and as the dogs next went out, it ripped the bottom corner of the plastic.
I've since moved the curtain holders farther out from the sides and it fixed that problem from happening again.
I've got a double plastic with magnets on the mandoor in our attached garage. It's cat sized for our 2 cats. I've had for maybe 5-6 years now? It's held up fine in Montana. Extreme cold, 100deg heat, snow- just fine. I have another one that I'll install on my detached shop mandoor.
Thanks, I will check PetSafe. The doors should be installed within the next month and I'd like to have the doggy door installed the same day the new entry doors are installed. Cold is never an issue here, we get frost once in a while but never sustained cold weather. It does get hot but the door it will be installed on does not get direct sun, it opens to the lanai which is shaded and faces North. My biggest concern is hurricanes, Nor'easters and other wind storms. We haven't had a hurricane in several years but we do have gusty wind with other storms and with two large trees in the yard and debris could come through the lanai.
Thanks, I will check PetSafe. The doors should be installed within the next month and I'd like to have the doggy door installed the same day the new entry doors are installed. Cold is never an issue here, we get frost once in a while but never sustained cold weather. It does get hot but the door it will be installed on does not get direct sun, it opens to the lanai which is shaded and faces North. My biggest concern is hurricanes, Nor'easters and other wind storms. We haven't had a hurricane in several years but we do have gusty wind with other storms and with two large trees in the yard and debris could come through the lanai.
Many (all?) pet door kits seem to include a rigid or lockable panel you can slide over the functional door temporarily for added security. Check for that feature.
Thanks, I will check PetSafe...My biggest concern is hurricanes, Nor'easters and other wind storms.
The PetSafe doggy doors come with a hard plastic door that slides in place, keeping the dogs in or out as you choose. During bad weather, I shut them in, in case of loud thunder.
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