Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace without having to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.
It is simpler to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one but you'll need some skills and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat flap fitters near me door into a front door could be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will help you draw the shape and then use an jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far either way.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it ensure you have clearance from these because this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home steady. The installation of a cat flap your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done 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 proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
While this is far easier to do with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it will fit the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you might require more care.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you have this information you'll be required to mark the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing cat flap glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you are not very proficient in DIY, it is best to hire a professional to complete the job for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly but also pose a security threat. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air out when the cat is inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and is flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and more user-friendly.
You should only remove the material required to make the flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that could cause issues and damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap 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 gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting cat flap in upvc door panel an animal flap to a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It is cheaper to do this instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house when they want how much to install a cat flap. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed upvc door panel replacement cat flap panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole through the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door has a template you can use to make the hole.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap. You can buy and fit various models, from basic push-button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It's also a safer option as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who might be injured by glass shards.