The Best Insulated Dog Doors for Cold Weather

Not all dog doors are made equal! When thinking about installing a pet door, you’ll need to consider your yearly climate! If you experience harsh winters or tons of rains, you’ll want the most insulating, energy efficient dog door possible.  

Insulated dog doors help keep you and your pet safe in extreme cold or heat. A common feature among these insulated pet doors is the dual flap design, an extra flap not only creates a barrier to keep out inclement weather but also keeps warm inside the pet door opening. Installing a door in this manner allows you to save energy, although only a single flap will only cost you much more than it would buy an insulated door.

What are the Best Insulated Dog Doors for Cold Weather?

Before even thinking about what the best dog door for extreme weather could be, the question has to be asked: what is so special about them? The very best cold weather dog doors will not only keep drafts out and heat in, but will also save you money in the long run. The less heat that escapes through the pet door, the more money you save on heating!

Magnetic Seal
These days, every dog door flap has a set of magnets embedded at the bottom. But maximum energy efficiency requires even stronger magnetic seal. The more magnets, the stronger the seal, and the less likely for the flap to let in cold air.

Low Temperature Tolerant Materials
A heavy duty, insulated flap protects your home from the elements. A lot of engineering can go into the material and design of a pet door. Most vinyl material will flex and shrink in the cold. The design of cold weather pet door flaps should counteract this!

Wind and Draft Resistant
If you think about it, a pet door is a hole right there in your door or wall! And if you’ve ever owned a pet door, you know that they can be the ultimate source of drafts in your home! The best pet doors for cold weather will be able to resist the strong winds and keep drafts out of the house! A flap with dog door weatherstripping is one way your dog door can be insulated against drafts. 

Single and Double Flap
Double the flaps, double the insulation for extreme weather energy efficiency! Cold weather pet doors will sometimes have a double flap option. Double flap dog doors help conserve the heat inside and keep out drafts, making them the perfect pet door option for harsh climates. See our selection of sliding glass pet doors for more options. 

What are the Best Dog Doors for Cold Weather?

As we said above, the features of the best dog doors for cold weather are their strong magnetic seals, the ability to keep out strong winds, and high tolerance against extreme temperature. With these in mind, here are the best dog doors for winter climates:

1. The Endura Flap

The best dog door for cold weather is the Endura Flap.
Separating it from the rest of the competition, the Endura Flap uses a polyolefin-based polymer flap system that doesn't fade, warp or crack the way standard vinyl flaps can. It can withstand cold climates as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit and still stay flexible!

The intense magnet strength of the Endura Flap means that the door will stay closed during high winds. In a wind tunnel experiment, the flap stayed shut against winds up to 40 mph! Endura offers a variety of installation options from wall entry doors to sliding door inserts. The high-quality Endura Thermo Panel 3e pops into patio door tracks in a matter of minutes, so it's a convenient option for renters. The sturdy aluminum frame is airtight for maximum insulation. All installation styles include a sturdy locking cover for security.  

On top of the great numbers, the Endura Flap comes with a 15-year warranty and has a double flap option for maximum insulation in the harshest climates. 

2. The Hale Double Flap

The next best is the Hale Double Flap.
With several magnets that keep the dual flaps closed and a fuzzy nylon weather stripping lining the edges of the flap, the Hale double flap offers great insulation for the value. Hale doors have the added benefits of a crystal clear and lighter-weight flap material to accommodate two pets of drastically different sizes (also good if your pooch is a little shy about pushing through a heavier flap). Your Great Dane and Dachshund can both use the same pet door! The wide range of flap sizes makes Hale a great choice if you are looking for a large dog door.

 

 

Hale offers custom door mounts and custom wall mounts that can fit to existing cut outs, allowing for ultimate flexibility based on your pet and home needs. The wall mount has a waterproof aluminum telescoping tunnel to avoid any water damage to the interior of your wall. Hale doors come with a 5-year warranty. 

3. The Ideal Draft Stopper

The Ideal Draft Stopper Dog Door seals well at a great price.
With 8 magnets and a three-panel flap design, the Draft Stopper keeps winds up to 35 mph out of your home while still staying flexible for pets. The flap itself is made of hard polycarbonate, but has hinges in between to allow a swinging motion when your pet comes and goes. The Draft Stopper only comes in two sizes and doesn’t offer as much flexibility with installation as the other doors on this list, having no wall-kit or extra large sizes. Make sure to double check the size of your pet when considering any pet door!

4. The Ideal Ruff Weather

The Ideal Designer Series Ruff Weather Dog Door is an affordable option.
Also featuring a double flap, the Ruff Weather door provides improved insulation while still being lightweight for pets of all sizes to use. With weather stripping on the plastic frame, the door is great for keeping drafts out of the house and comes at a modest price. The Ruff Weather, unlike the Draft Stopper, has a small size and two larger sizes that allow for more options for extra small or extra large pets.

Other Considerations

Remember that there are lots of other things to consider when buying a pet door, such as if you can add weatherstripping to your door to add insulation value! You can meet all of your needs and still get a winter proof dog door!

Size
Size is super important to keep in mind. Be sure to measure your pet correctly and pick the right door for your pet! Have a small dog or cat that likes to play in the snow? No problem! Take a look at your through walls, through windows, and even through a sliding glass door!

Whichever door is right for you, remember that every climate, every home, and every pet is different, so every pet door situation is different. Choose the right pet door for you! Check out our collection of dog doors for windows to browse more options. Or see all our pet door collections to browse installation options for your new pet door.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cold Weather Dog Doors

Do dog doors let in cold weather?

Dog doors made with high-quality materials will not let cold air inside your home. The Endura Flap pet door withstands extreme cold to keep your home cozy.

How do doggie doors work in winter?

The Endura Double Flap Wall Mount Dog Door is a great winter dog door. The space between the two flaps creates an insulating barrier to keep wind, rain, and snow out of your home during the winter months.

What is the most energy efficient dog door?

The most energy efficient dog door is the Endura Flap Pet Door. It is excellent for severe weather protection with the high-quality flap and excellent magnetic resistance.

What is the safest doggie door?

The safest doggie door is the Endura Flap Pet Door. The flap is flexible for your pets to use comfortably and safely, yet sturdy enough to keep bad weather out of your home.

Do dog doors let in cold air?

High-quality pet doors will not let cold air in. The Endura Flap pet door is the best cold weather dog door.

What is the best pet door on the market?

The best pet door on the market is the Endura Flap Pet Door. It has excellent weather resistance in extreme climates and will keep your home insulated year-round.

What is the best way to insulate a dog door?

The best way to insulate a dog door is to use all the provided weatherstripping and materials included with your door. A high-quality pet door will not require additional insulation measures.

What is the most energy efficient dog door?

The most energy efficient dog door is the Endura Flap Pet Door. It comes in a variety of installation models and sizes to fit the needs of you and your pet.