Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it will require some expertise and the right tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you mark the shape and use a jigsaw in order to cut the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, you can place it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it then make sure you have clearance from these because this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line that you've drawn in, don't try to push the blade too hard, as this could cause it to cut faster than you want it to. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. However, fitting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the directions are followed.
While this is much simpler with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you must be cautious not to damage the doors since this could cause damage to the warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough for an ordinary uPVC door, but you may require extra care if you are using a composite or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you will need to locate a place on the door that will be within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have the information, you'll have to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to make the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll 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 can be difficult to fit a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also 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 have to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs flush with all the other components of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth any edges.
Wear the safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is best to only remove the material required to create the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap and if this is the case, you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you're installing the cat flap onto the frame of a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. cat flap install www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is less expensive than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they feel like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own an glass panel which can be cut. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not just a matter of drilling an opening in the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure that it is secure.
A composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door has a template you can use to cut the hole.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit many different models including basic push-button operated models to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. However, regardless of what type of cat flap you pick, it's crucial to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather.
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 drilling is applied to it. It's also a much safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or your family. This is especially crucial if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.