How can I insulate my dog door?

Elaine Lewis
by Elaine Lewis

I have a rather large pet safe dog door which is part of my slider. I would like to inquire if anyone has any ideas as to how I can effectively insulate this without making it a focal point or eyesore. Thank you one and all for your help and ideas with this project.Best Regards,Elaine Lewis

  9 answers
  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Mar 08, 2019

    How about a thick piece of plastic that bends hang it on there

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Mar 08, 2019

    We had a similar problem - had a Great Dane - and the huge flap opened in the slightest breeze which was. . . unacceptable. Unfortunately, the situation can't be "fixed" without causing an eyesore situation. (which I tried) However, there ARE insulated doors that you can purchase - to replace the single flap - in many styles. We ended up doing exactly that. They aren't inexpensive, but they do work and eventually pay for themselves by saving on your power bills. Look for them on line, check the customer reviews and select what will work best for your particular situation. It should be a good remedy.

  • SM SM on Mar 08, 2019

    My Idea is not very aesthetically pleasing, but it works. I built a rectangular "foyer " out of PVC pipes, covered it with insulating foam board, and attached plastic flaps on one end. Then I used double sided insulating foam tape to attach it around the dog door. I left enough room on the inside for the original dog door to flap properly, and the plastic flaps I attached to the other end of the foyer added an extra layer of wind resistance. I put this outside, so it was not intrusive into my room. However the one I did was for a small to medium sized dog door, and it was still about 20 by 24. Just an idea. Cheaper than buying the double flap doors. And I am not sure those kind of double flap doors would work on the patio door inserts like you and I have.

    • See 1 previous
    • SM SM on Mar 09, 2019

      Here are the pictures. It is not currently attached to the house because my dogs died. I actually used the smaller pvc pipe stuff that came with a clothes hamper. The plastic strips for the flap I got from the rug section at home depot. It isn't very pretty, but it could be made to look better. I used a shoe lace to attach the flaps.

  • Carla Boyle Carla Boyle on Mar 09, 2019

    She built an air lock. Just a small room outside with another dog door that the dog has to come thru first before opening the one into the house. Brilliant!

  • Sandra N Leon Rollins Sandra N Leon Rollins on Mar 09, 2019

    We live in a Texas where we use auto windshield sunshades; some are made of a pliable material covered in a reflective coating. These are easy to cut and use to insulate anything - including the top window of your door and a separate piece cut just a bit smaller than the opening flap. Adhere with Velcro or two sided tape.

  • DORLIS DORLIS on Mar 09, 2019

    Can't really help. we had a cat door that we had to get rid of because the local wildlife kept trying to get in. we tried a locking door but when it is locked, cats cannot get in/put. when unlocked, everyone wanted in.

    • Elaine Lewis Elaine Lewis on Mar 09, 2019

      Oh my! I understand what you are saying. My home is at the end of a cul-de sac with only one house to the right side of it. I have wetlands all around me and abut a state forest so I see more critters than I can tell you about. Coyotes especially and this is why my yard is fenced in. It provides a bit of a deterrent, but all in all I love the critters and am a true country girl .

  • Cindy Cindy on Mar 09, 2019

    Have you tried stenciling or contact paper.? It may become a focal point but at least more pkwasent to look at ☺

    • See 1 previous
    • Scarlett Deveroux Scarlett Deveroux on Mar 10, 2019

      I bought one of those faux stained glass sheets at Home Depot (sort of like contact paper) and cut it to fit the glass part of my doggie door. It looks beautiful and not so "doggie door" looking.

  • Em Em on Mar 10, 2019

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  • JoyE JoyE on Mar 12, 2019

    A friend got a locking dog door. I'm not sure how much better insulated it is than the flap you have, but I know it is more substantial. Her dogs wear tags on their collars so the door unlocks for them, but closes before any wildlife can follow them in. Keeps squirrels and such out but the dogs can come and go as they please.