Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house at will is an excellent way to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for the cat to leave the house when necessary.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go whenever they want without opening the door for them. This makes it perfect to keep them inside when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!
It is important to examine the door's measurements to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or large and your cat will be unable to use it.
Get a ruler and measure the width at several points along the edge of the door. You should also measure the height of the door in a few spots. This is because a door that is too high could cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for assistance when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They should be able to help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.
When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is mark the outline of the hole in the door. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole out and will prevent you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the end!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. If you are fitting the cat flap onto a patio door it is vital that the hole does not reach too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or issues with the seal.
If you have glass doors it is best to let this job to a glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You might also discover that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to leave them alone. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which isn't healthy for your cat or you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These kinds of doors are typically made with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is quite different too. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if it is compatible prior to installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may invalidate warranties.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are built to be tough and durable with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other doors, but they can be difficult to fit the cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat is able to access the door, you'll have to measure their height. This is easiest when they're sleeping or calm, so that they don't move around too often. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. You can then mark this position on the door.
When using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you will need be extra cautious. The process of drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's highly recommended to employ a glazier when installing your cat flap inside a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from shattering or becoming brittle. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't then you can create one yourself with a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can make one using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape has been penciled in on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is properly positioned in the opening and won't slide open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the design that was drawn on the door. Use cat flap installer near me designed specifically for uPVC door use. It will usually be labeled with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for help. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap against it and push it open to make sure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, use a filer or rasp to fix this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting into since they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fittings on the door which have to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to damage these items while cutting.
Most people who install the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door, and therefore will not be dealing with any of these issues. If your door is constructed of timber or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, this could add to the complexity of the task.
It is always advisable to seek expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is crucial to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. It is crucial to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Fit the Flap
After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to test whether it will fit and opens easily. If you find any points that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit perfectly and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap is flush with the door too.
Some kits come with templates for this, but even if yours doesn't, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Lay the paper against the door and draw a line where you will need to place the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you traced on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to fix the flap to the door.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. If your door is made of composite or GRP, it can be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it is best to hire a professional. They should also be able to advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
It is possible to install a cat flap into composite doors, but it is important to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first since any modifications to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be a messy job and could be dangerous.
You'll require an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take great care not to harm the door or yourself as it's extremely fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole into any kind of glass door is much more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid timber door.