Reddit reviews RuffWeather Pet Door Extra Large
We found 3 Reddit comments about RuffWeather Pet Door Extra Large. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Color:White; Durable, energy-efficient all-weather pet door with inner telescoping frameMade from structural foam molded plastic with clear vinyl insulated flapsFor dogs and cats up to 90 poundsFlap Size is 9.75" x 17"Measures 9.75 x 17 inches; limited lifetime warrantyNeed Assistance? E-mail Ideal Pet Products expert US-based customer care specialists seven days a week!
As long as do you the right prep work to make sure it fits, you don't have any obstacles you'll be fine. Depending on where it is, the level of waterproofing will also come into play. My wife and I did this one as soon as we moved in and are extremely pleased.
With that said, there are alternatives. The lowest LOE project would probably be the sliding door insert. We used to have one before we moved and that we also enjoyed that. Another user also posted something about a glass door cutout that you can get as well but that sounds like it would involve the highest skill and risk.
Good luck
I live in Calgary so cold winters are definitely a thing. We have this dog door. I'm pretty sure I paid more than $108 for it, but whatever. It's pretty good for cold weather (dual flap with magnets that keep it from blowing open in windy weather). It also comes with a plastic slide in door so you can close it even more, but also means your dogs can't get in or out. It's not as bad as my old door that used to lift open when it was windy outside. I think with any dog door, you have to accept that there is going to be a little cold air coming in.
As for dirt and grass, we definitely have more dirt, but again, that's part of having a dog door. The perk of them being able to go outside whenever they want is worth it. We only have carpet on our stairs, and it's a dark brown, so perhaps my opinion would be different if the door opened to lighter carpet or something.
I had a house in town with a doggy door for my labs and other dogs, and now I'm out in the country in a house with a doggy door, so all told, I've had doggy doors for over 20 years. They're wonderful. And quality-wise, they have much improved in that time (that one is just super)!
Security wise, I lived in a crappy area when I was in town, but as someone else mentioned, the larger the dog/door, the less likely someone is to look at your place to burglarize. It also helps that now, between the spouse and I, someone is always home. I have had a number of geriatric dogs in that time, and none of them have had trouble with the doors. Like you, I am much happier knowing they can go into the yard when they like, and out in the country, they like being outdoors quite a bit.