Cat flaps let your cat go in and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.
Installing a cat flap into a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door each time, but it is also small enough to stop them from moving too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out the area on the door where the template should be positioned, typically this is done using an X, but some kits come with a drawing that shows where to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw start to cut along the line you've drawn in, but don't press the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you have an already-cut square, use it to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can start to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. cat flap fitters near me of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the directions are followed.
Although this is much simpler with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors since this could cause damage to your warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to fit the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, however you may require extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door since these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a place on the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you've got the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the work for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at ready for any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.
It is important that you only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal does not come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done, it is essential to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're looking to install a cat flap inside a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. This is less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they like. However, if you own a uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're able to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit an animal flap onto these doors. It's not a simple matter of slicing an opening in the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can pick from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and harm your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who could be hurt by glass shattering.