Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is a lot easier than a glass door, however it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but provided that the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.
To determine cat flap installer near me of the cat flap you need, measure the width of your pet. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to walk into the home and exit without needing to open the door every time.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, you can stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw start cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to press the blade too hard because this could make it cut faster than you would like it to. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. The installation of a cat flap your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people call an expert 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.
Although this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you 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. You will need to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you know the hole will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight instead of rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Cut a Hole
It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it is best to employ an expert to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but it could also be a security risk and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.
The first thing you have to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly located and is in a straight line with other parts of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on ready for any rough edges.
Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.
It is crucial to only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap but removing more than that can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap.
If you want to install a cat flap inside a double-glazed or upvc window with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house when they feel like it. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite 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 must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models, from basic push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.
A circular fitting is more effective 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. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have a child or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.