Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.
It is easier to install the cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one but you'll need some skills and the right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Fitting a cat flap in the door can be a challenge but if you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be a problem. We will help you draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut out the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can start removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without worrying about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, fitting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.
While this is much easier to do with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you must be cautious not to damage the doors since this could end your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it will fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you might need to be more careful.
Next, cat flap fitters near me will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the hole will fit your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
It can be difficult to install a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it's best to hire an expert to do the job for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air out when it is inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you require when working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and more user-friendly.
You should only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is the case, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you're installing the cat flap onto the frame of a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. It is cheaper to get this done rather than trying to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they feel like it. If you've got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not as easy as simply making a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need first to ensure that it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically has a template which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in your door.
After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. Whatever type of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck in the rain.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards glass.