Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. cat flap fitting can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the house and exit without needing to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements, you can determine the area on the door where the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X, but some kits come with an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom of it ensure you have enough clearance from these because this will ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Next put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to press the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you own an already-cut square, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the work. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
This is much simpler to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if you have an alternative type of door since these can be 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 distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to locate a place near the door that will be within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information, you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily.
Cut a Hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not just be ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
Mark the hole's 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 door's other parts. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth any edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.
It is crucial to only cut away the material needed to make the cat flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to make 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 oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you're installing a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. This will be less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the house when they want to. However, if you have an uPVC door it can be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly in the absence of glass panes that could be cut for one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install an additional cat flap. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure 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 core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in the door.
After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.
It is a good idea to choose a circular fitting rather than a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children at home who could be injured by glass fragments.