How to Compare Dog Doors

Installing a dog door can save you time since your pets can enter and exit at their leisure. However, dog doors are available in a variety of styles and prices. Pick the right dog door for your home after you compare all the options.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose between dog doors with thick, double plastic flaps and heavy magnets or single flap ones with fewer magnets. The price tag of the double flaps is higher since they're more efficient.

2. Compare the security options available when the door is not in use. Certain models come with a removable plastic door that slides into the frame, while others come with metal covers that have various types of locks available.

3. Decide where to install your dog door. Typical locations include in a door or wall, but alternatives include French doors, glass and windows. The style, type and width of the door will vary based on where you install it. A door or glass installation will be much slimmer than dog door installed in a wall.

4. Consider manual dog doors. Manual doors can allow any pet to enter or exit whereas electronic doors have entering and exiting options. Your dog can leave the home and have controlled access entering or controlled access in both directions.

5. Think about electronic dog doors. The electronic doors are available in infrared, magnetic or RFID. With all of these electronic options, your pet wears a collar that signals the door to open when approaching.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose a large to extra large size dog door, remember it is big enough for a person to fit through. Consider a heavy duty door with lock as a security option.
• Compare price tags of electronic doors carefully. RFID is a new technology and costs much more than the other electronic versions.