Hello everyone, I have been considering fitting my IKEA KALLAX shelves with custom doors to protect them from dust and curious pets. I am especially concerned about how KALLAX doors hold up in daily use with pets, particularly cats or small dogs. Have you had any experience with how durable the doors are against scratches, frequent opening, or occasional clawing by animals? Are there any tips for installation or materials that work especially well to ensure long-lasting durability? I would also be interested to know if there are any issues with opening or closing the doors, for example if you are often away or cannot constantly check whether the pet has access. Thanks in advance for your practical experiences and feedback!
Gugi45 schrieb:
how KALLAX doors hold up in everyday use with petsI have two KALLAX units with the original doors installed because I have cats. Overall, the doors are sturdy, but the surface is made of painted wood, which doesn’t fully prevent scratches from pets’ claws. If the doors are used directly as a barrier against constant scratching, minor damage can occur.
Gugi45 schrieb:
Are there any tips for installation or materialsI recommend either using glass doors (which replace the KALLAX doors) or adding protective films on top. The doors are easy to install; the system fits well and closes smoothly, even if you can’t check it all the time.
It’s important not to allow pets to use the doors as climbing or scratching surfaces – this significantly reduces damage. Alternatively, some DIY solutions offer stronger doors made from plywood, which are easier to modify.
Hello, I would also like to share my experience. In a household with two small dogs and a cat, the KALLAX doors are used every day. What I particularly like is that the doors can be easily installed thanks to the simple click-in system, which is very practical given the frequent use.
Regarding scratches, I can say that the doors do have relatively sensitive surfaces, but in our case, the animals have gotten used to the doors, so there was no significant damage. What I find important is that if you use the doors to keep pets out of certain areas, they should not be left open too often; otherwise, the principle of access control won’t work.
Additionally, light padding or protection with transparent films can be useful if the pet is very active. I also recommend making sure the doors are not too heavy so they open easily and you don’t accidentally trap your pet. If anyone has further questions, I’m happy to provide more details!
Regarding scratches, I can say that the doors do have relatively sensitive surfaces, but in our case, the animals have gotten used to the doors, so there was no significant damage. What I find important is that if you use the doors to keep pets out of certain areas, they should not be left open too often; otherwise, the principle of access control won’t work.
Additionally, light padding or protection with transparent films can be useful if the pet is very active. I also recommend making sure the doors are not too heavy so they open easily and you don’t accidentally trap your pet. If anyone has further questions, I’m happy to provide more details!
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