Built-In Dog Doors Offer Convenience for Pet Owners

By Brandon Morris

Product Manager – Entry & Storm Doors

Woman cuddling black labrador dog on couch in living room on page about entry doors and storm door with built-in dog door options

Being a dog owner can be a fun and rewarding experience. Dogs provide years of loyalty and companionship in exchange for the loving home you give them, and it feels warm and welcoming to come home to a dog who is elated to see you. Their wagging tails, soft fur, and doggie kisses seem to have a natural way of dissolving the stresses of your day.

While it’s not difficult for most dog owners to find time to devote to making sure their dog gets adequate outside time, some situations—such as having a puppy, an older dog, a dog with health issues, or a dog that just loves being outside—can make it feel as though your schedule revolves around your dog’s frequent trips outdoors.

A door with pet door built in could be the perfect solution. Pet doors, also known as doggie doors, allow your dog or cat to go outside and come back in as needed—cutting down on interruptions while you’re home. So whether you’re in the middle of a household task such as cooking or cleaning, or you finally get comfortable on the couch at the end of a long day, you won’t have to stop what you’re doing to let your dog out.

To help you determine whether pet doors might be a good solution for your home and pet, we’ll answer some common questions about them and provide information about the pet door options we offer at ProVia.

ProVia French entry doors with doggie door

What kind of doors can have pet doors built in?

ProVia offers both entry and storm doors with built-in dog doors. Also considered entry doors, ProVia hinged patio doors and French doors are excellent options for patio doors with dog doors built in. Available styles for doors with pet doors include entry or storm doors with a flush style, which are styles without embossing or paneling on the bottom portion. Flush styles provide the flat surface area needed for the dog door to be installed. Visit our pet door page for specific styles for entry doors with dog doors or storm door with dog doors.

Do dog doors let the elements in or heat/air out?

ProVia offers two options for doggie doors—RANGER® pet doors—our premium option—and PetSafe® Freedom® pet doors—our standard option. Both provide protection from the elements. RANGER doors have a rugged, insulated flap system with an SBR rubber core and marine-grade canvas on both sides to maximize energy efficiency and durability. DoubleMag™ Technology provides an airtight seal for extreme weather protection.

Freedom doors include a magnetic, soft flap that provides UV sun protection, as well as weatherstripping that tightly seals the door for protection from the elements. Whichever option you choose, you won’t have to worry about sacrificing comfort or energy efficiency in your home.

Legacy™ Smooth 430 in Autumn Red with RANGER® Pet Door

Can pet doors keep unwanted animals out?

Nobody wants a surprise animal showing up inside their home, whether it’s the neighborhood cat or a hungry racoon. Both RANGER and Freedom pet doors offer options that keep unwanted animals from entering your home. RANGER doors include a locking security panel on all door-mounted dog doors. Freedom doors include a slide-in closing panel. Although it might be convenient to let your pet come and go 24/7, the best way to prevent animal intruders from entering through your pet door is to keep it locked at night or when you’re not home.

RANGER Pet Doors at a Glance

Features a strong, weatherproof, mold-resistant cellular PVC frame that is 3,000 times more insulating than metal frames
Rugged, insulated flap system is made from premium materials. Flap has an insulating SBR rubber core, protected with marine-grade canvas on each side
Includes a locking security panel
DoubleMag™ Technology provides an airtight seal that keeps extreme weather outside
Factory installed on ProVia entry doors