Kinda OT - Recommend a translucent plastic for a doggie pet door

[dalee100]

Hi,

I've had both plastic flaps on my pet door crack and break this past 2 weeks. Who knew the plastic flaps wouldn't hold up at -40F.

Those flaps cost $60 apiece. There has got to be a better material to make them from, but what? I can't find a translucent plastic that is 3mm thick that would be recommended for that kind of low temps.

Any ideas?

[Arcane]

Transparent aluminium?

[6270 Productions]

Replace it with "something" (multiple layers of clear flexible plastic sewn together?) this Spring. Put a box in front of it for now. I can't imagine your doggie wants to go outside in conditions like that.

[tom_d]

Might try searching through McMaster-Carr. They have a good assortment. Here's one suggestion: https://www.mcmaster.com/polyethylene-film

[Erich]

Poly ether based Urethane sheeting. Water clear available, many colors, 1/8 inch thick tooo. Many choices of hardness, From very rubbery to hard plastic like. Done carefully you could build in a live hinge

Stock Polyurethane Sheeting - Stock Urethane Sheets | PSI Urethanes, Inc.

[lakeside53]

Polycarbonate seems to hold up best. Available even at box stores. Racoon proof too.

[elf]

Tempered glass or Gorilla glass.

[old mart]

Transparent aluminium?

Somebody has been watching old Star Trek movies.

[dalee100]

Replace it with "something" (multiple layers of clear flexible plastic sewn together?) this Spring. Put a box in front of it for now. I can't imagine your doggie wants to go outside in conditions like that.

Ha, they don't much care. I imported one of them direct from Mother Russia. It reminds her of home.......Crazy Russians.

I think I might call PSI Urethane on Monday morning. Thanks Erich

[The Artful Bodger]

Your dog does not really care about being able to see through the door so replace it with plywood, aircraft grade aluminium, 12mm plate!

[old mart]

I would make the door in metal with a window for the dog to look through,with a heat insulating layer on the metal part.

[dalee100]

Your dog does not really care about being able to see through the door so replace it with plywood, aircraft grade aluminium, 12mm plate!

Oddly enough, dogs do care. Even tall grass can present a "wall" to a dog. Fortunately, my dogs are hunting dogs and don't have fear of cover, but solid things like plywood can be an issue. And visiting dogs won't care for a solid door. And I do take in the occasional pup for training over the year. Translucence is a good thing.

The temp transfer makes metals of any kind a no go form the start. Northern Minnesota ain't Florida in the wintertime. Wood might work, but hinges will need to be designed to work with the existing opening. A possibility I suppose

[BCRider]

Locally I found some UHMW PVC sold by the name "puckboard" because it's kept around to use in the local hockey rinks. Not cheap at around $80 per 4x8 sheet but it's surprising the uses I've found for it. It's milky white though so perhaps does not fit your idea for clearness.

I think they'd soon get used to not seeing through the door. After all I'm guessing you fixed the issue with duct tape for now. And if that isn't bothering them....

[wmgeorge]

When I was working commercial refrigeration we used clear plastic strip doors for coolers and freezers, when the main door was open these kept the cold air in and warm air out. Like These which can be trimmed or try else where I have zero experience with this company!! https://www.strip-curtains.com/proCa...anized#listing

[ikdor]

Get some polycarbonate or acrylic with a UV coating otherwise it'll look very yellow very soon