Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.
It is easier to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but so long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the directions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut the door's opening. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door every time, but it is also small enough to keep them from moving too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements, you can determine the location on the door where the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X, but some kits include an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Utilize a set square to check that you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. Fitting a cat flap to your door can be a daunting task for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the instructions are adhered to.
Although this is much easier to do with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors, as this can end your warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough for a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need to locate a place on the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this, you will need to mark out the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. cat flap installers near me could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.
Cut a Hole
Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you require when working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.
If the upvc door is made of metal, or has a frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the walls of the flap.
If you're looking to install a cat flap in a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames, you'll need to consult a specialist. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be less expensive than fitting the flap into an existing pane that was not made for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they want to. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a wide range of options, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting caught in bad weather.
It is a good idea to choose circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children in your home who could be injured by glass fragments.