Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
It is much easier to put a cat flap on a upvc panel than on a glass one but you'll require some expertise and right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.
The first thing you need to do is measure the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to keep them from moving too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be positioned, typically this is done using an X. However, cat flap installer near me www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk come with drawings that show where to drill. If you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.
Set a square to make sure you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. If you have a set square then make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call 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 easier to do with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you must be careful not to scratch the doors as this will end the warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough if you are using a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door as these can be 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 distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a spot on the door where this measurement is within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are sure that the opening will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.
Make a hole
It can be a challenge to put the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it is recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look 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 when inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs flush with all the other components of the door. It is important to have an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use a power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material needed for the fitment of the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with wall of the flap.
If you're looking to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames you'll need to talk to an expert. They can provide you with a new piece of glass that has the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax inside the house when they're feeling like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have glass panels that is cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install the cat flap. It's not a matter of drilling a hole into the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A composite door panel typically comprises a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.
Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. However, regardless of what type of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
It's a good idea to select circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and cause harm to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home that might be injured by glass fragments.