SLIDING GLASS PET DOOR
Thermo Panel III Endura Flap
The Endura flap is the biggest improvement to pet
door flap design in the last 10 years. The weakest part of any pet door
is the flap, and companies have tried various strategies to get the flaps
to seal, with mixed success. This flap marks a revolution in the pet door
industry.
Seal improvements: The superior seal of the Endura
flap is a product of years of research. The flap uses a bellows design
on the sides along with magnets that run the full length of the flap.
Flaps constrict in cold weather and expand in hot weather. The bellows
system allows the flap to shrink and grow, while the magnets will pull
the side of the flap into contact with the frame, thus making a tight
seal in the most extreme conditions. Across the bottom of the frame is
a magnetic bar which "jumps" up to contact the magnetic strip
on the bottom of the pet door.
Dual pane flap: The Endura flap uses a dual pane
flap that insulates just like a dual pane glass window. The flap is just
a bit thicker than a standard piece of dual pane glass and provides equivalent
insulation qualities. The flap also has horizontal barriers that prevent
air currents from traveling up and down the flap and these barriers act
to reduce the heat transfer through the flap.
High "aspect ratio": The new Endura flap
is available in taller sizes than most other pet doors. This means
that it is easier to fit multiple dogs, as the flap can be lower to the
ground and yet still be tall enough for a larger dog at the same time.
This high aspect ratio has the side benefit that this new panel takes
up less room in your sliding glass door.
Wind resistance: More magnets gives a higher wind
resistance threshold. The new Endura flap was designed with this in mind,
and has magnets running the full length of both sides of the flap. The
bottom of the pet door has the ability to accept additional magnets if
needed.
UV resistance/flap clarity: Many pet door flaps
are designed with a tint to them, which makes it harder to train pets.
The Endura flap is clear, and is treated with a strong UV retardant to
prevent yellowing with age.
Hinged top: The Endura uses a stainless steel rod
with bushings to hang the flap, and when the pet uses the door the
flap rotates on its bushings at the top. A typical pet door flap is
soft vinyl and the flap simply flexes open along the top. The new Endura
flap eliminates the cracking and tearing at the top of the flap that
is typical with most other pet doors on the market. This hinge setup
has proven extremely durable. The flap has survived a torture test
in which a machine pushed the flap open in on direction then the other
a total of 3,000,000 times! There was wear especially where
the machine pushed on the flap, but the hinge held up great and the
flap still sealed.
Environmentally friendly flap materials: The Endura
flap is made from polyolefin based polymers similar to what is commonly
used for food storage containers. Most other pet door flaps are made from
PVC (vinyl) which is not biodegradable and dangerous during manufacturing.
Copyrighted images courtesy of Patio Pacific, Inc.
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