Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap into a door panel made of Upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the proper tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Fitting a cat door in the front door is difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape and then use a jigsaw in order to cut out the door area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure your pet's width. This will allow you to select a flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the home and exit without needing to open the door every time.
If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can place it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge then make sure you have clearance from these to keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Utilize a set square to check that you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can begin removing the rest of the door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once cat flap step 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 unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, fitting the cat flap to your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the steps are adhered to.
This is much simpler to do with doors made of wood, however it is still possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough when you have a standard uPVC door, however you may require more care if you have an alternative type of door since these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have this information then you have to draw the area using pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you've finished the cutting process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Cut a Hole
Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have plenty of experience with DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A mistake could not only look ugly, but also pose security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
Mark the hole position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. It is important to have an sandpaper piece on the ready for any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you are worried 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 to make the cat flap. It is important to leave a bit of material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the cat flap. If this is the case, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you're looking to install a cat flap into a double-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal, you'll need to consult a specialist. They can offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they like. However, if you own a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need first to ensure that it's safe.
A composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door usually includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models including basic push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could break and cause harm to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children in your home who might be injured by glass shattering.