Pets

Reflective insulation can be used in dog houses

Dog lovers are a strange breed. Some pamper their pet with special clothing and bags, stone-encrusted leashes, and painted nails. Other dog lovers go to great lengths to treat their pet well. My husband loves giving his two Labrador Retrievers a little TLC with a stylish carcass fit for a king.

Although dogs live outside, there are times when they need the extra protection that a cozy room outside our basement can offer. However, most winter nights, they stay warm enough in their dog house thanks to the reflective insulation.

Reflective Aluminum (also known as Radiant Barrier or Reflective Foil) consists of a thin layer of highly reflective aluminum with a strong polyester inner mesh and is lightweight and tear resistant. Interestingly, it is easy to handle and cut with a box cutter or scissors.

My husband built our dog house out of 2×4’s with plywood interior and exterior walls. Sandwiched between a good layer of massive insulation and reflective insulation. We also put reflective insulation under the floor. Because our dogs are puppies, they are still inclined to tear and chew on most things that they can get into their mouths. Perhaps if you have older dogs it will not be necessary to do it this way.

In any case, dogs feel warm and cozy inside your house thanks to the unique L-shaped construction and two types of insulation. Elevated off the ground by several feet, the entrance is accessible by a ramp so snow can accumulate and cause the interior to become wet and sodden. So far, the approach seems to be working fine on all but the coldest nights, thanks to the reflective insulation.

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