Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, without you having to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.
Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is much easier than in a glass door, however it will require some expertise and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the directions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut out the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.
The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will allow you to select a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to walk into the house and exit without needing to open the door every time.
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, however some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line you've drawn in, don't try to press the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, fitting the cat flap to your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the directions are followed.
While this is far simpler with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you must be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will end your warranty. First, you need to measure the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough for an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if using an insulated or composite type of door as these are more difficult to cut into 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 underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a place near the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you have the information, you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.
Cut a Hole
It isn't easy to put an animal flap on the door panel or double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
cat flap fitters near me to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is flush with all other parts of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth any edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is crucial to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the door frame.
A door made of upvc may have a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting a cat flap into an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who will supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. This will be less expensive than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not designed for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially true if you do not own glass panels that can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure that it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically includes a template that you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap itself. You can buy and fit many different models including basic push-button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting caught in the rain.
It is a good idea to select circular fittings instead of 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 drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option to use as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children in your home who could be injured by glass fragments.