Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go whenever they want without you needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.
Take a look at the Door
Fitting a cat door in the front door is difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the directions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut out the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will enable you to select a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to walk into the home and exit without needing to open the door each time.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits come with drawings that show where to drill. If you have one, then attach it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Next put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line you penciled in, don't try to press the blade too hard as this will make it cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a set square then use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them coming in with guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. However, fitting the cat flap to your door could be an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the directions are followed.
It is much easier to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to harm the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult for the standard uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a place in the door that will be within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this, you will have to draw the area using an eraser and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Cut a Hole
It isn't easy to put a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A mistake could not only be unsightly but also pose an security risk. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is important that you only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you're planning to install a cat flap in a double-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with an expert. They can provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. This is less expensive than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane that was not designed for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the ability to unwind in the home whenever they're feeling like it. If you've got an uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly if you don't own a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to add a cat flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
cat flap installer near me , GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children in your home who could be hurt by glass shards.