Cat flaps let your pet move around at their own pace without having to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom inside the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then complete the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door each time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far either way.
If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, then put it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. 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.
Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. Repair My Windows And Doors stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. A lot of people will hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the work. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
While this is much simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you must be cautious not to damage the doors, as this can invalidate the warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you may have to be more cautious.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need find a place on the door that will be within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you've got the information, you'll need to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.
Cut a hole
It isn't easy to install a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A mistake in the process may not just be ugly, but also an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and is flush with the door's other parts. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at the ready to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety gear for working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.
It is essential to only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the door frame.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done, it is crucial to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're planning to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will provide you with a new piece of glass that has the hole already made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to have this done than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially true in the event that you don't own an glass panel that is cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add an animal flap onto the doors. It's not as simple as cutting a hole through the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to make sure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap. You can pick from a range of options, from simple push-button units to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease 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 if a drill is used on it. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is especially important if you have a child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards of glass.