Cat door

[scotstern]

I have the cat door opening in my garage man door to the house. I no longer have a cat and, it is unlikely that I will ever have another one that would use that door.

Does anyone know of a cover arrangement that they have used to block these off permanently that works and would be at code for fire. I would replace the door but it seems difficult to get the door by itself and then have the hinge areas routed.

I was thinking about a metal cover on each side that was painted to match the door. The door is a solid core door but nothing fancy. It is just a plain door.

Thoughts?

Scot

 

[kevin47]

How about epoxy a veneer patch over the hole...Remove the cat door frame, first.

Better yet, the SPCA has lots of older cats that could use a home...Come on, it's not that big a deal...Go help out a cat...Cat's are people, too...You know...lol

 

[coljar]

I don't think you were required by law to provide a means for the cat to escape, in case of fire, in the first place.....................just messin' with you man. I think your idea with the metal covers would work fine. You could add some foam board inside the door and caulk around it good.

 

[kevin47]

lol...Oh, man...Wood might be easier to work with...Just saying...

 

[RVDan]

A steel kick plate as high as the hole and as wide as the door

 

[PCO6]

^^^ Agree. If you can't find one that is the right size have one cut. I had a peice of aluminum deck plate cut for my garage door and it wasn't much more expensive than the brass ones that were available at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

 

[pendragon1998]

I like that kickplate idea the best. Stick some foam in the hole first.

 

[bczygan]

Get a small dog.

 

[Torque1st]

Use the kickplate and fill the cavity with sheetrock and HVAC fireproof duct sealant.

http://www.insulation.org/articles/article.cfm?id=IO070501

 

[STClurker]

Better yet, the SPCA has lots of older cats that could use a home...Come on, it's not that big a deal...Go help out a cat...Cat's are people, too...You know...lol

 

[Spareparts]

Friend of mine's wife wanted a pet door for their cat and the cat rewarded her with a live snake, dropped it in bed with her. He got a new door that evening.

 

[24X26]

I'm in the get another cat camp.

 

[jhelrey]

I have a pet door. It has the bar style swing doors. It has a steel plate in it for the winter. I can lock the doors so I can only let things in, out, or both. PS: It's in my wall, not door.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Friend of mine's wife wanted a pet door for their cat and the cat rewarded her with a live snake, dropped it in bed with her. He got a new door that evening.

My cat can only get onto the screened-in back patio, so the biggest thing she can bring into the house is a lizard.

I once had an outdoor cat who was a good hunter, he brought a blackbird inside and turned it loose, then just sat there grooming and backing in the chaos as the humans ran around screaming. Another time he brought us a live cicada - you think there noisy when they're up in the trees, just wait till you have one buzzing around indoors

 

[DocRocket]

I think that a prehung steel entry door is only about $100....
Just keep your options open until you check them all out.

When I was young, we had a cat who liked to sneak in anole lizards in her mouth--live and twitching, so she could play with them inside--some got away, and then we had to get them out of things like the piano, the pool table, etc. Not as much fun as it sounds.

 

[Openboater]

I'm in the get another cat camp.

Me too 24. But here we have three mousers who, upon depopulating our pasture, are damn proud of themselves and insist on showing off their catch. If we had a cat door, they'd play the 'let the mouse go inside the house and let's see if we can catch it all over again!" game. Thus, for us, no door. But cats? Crazy rodent eating machines... tom

 

[AZ Pete]

I did just what you are asking about, in our last house. Fill the void with solid wood,fire calk any voids, or joints. I made a kick plate of tempered masonite on the inside of the door, and used sheet metal for the exterior kick plate. If the man door exits to the outside, rather than into the house, you can dispense with the fire calk...

 

[Norcal]

A good door shop can match a door for you, but I am also in the camp of getting another cat, shelters have lots of adult cats that are harder to find homes for 'cause everyone wants kittens...