The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house at will is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. Having a flap can also help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house whenever it wants to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This makes it perfect to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests from the house as well!
You should examine the door's measurements to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are many sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the right size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too large or small, and your cat could have trouble using it.
Before you do anything however, you should use a ruler to take measurements of the width of the door in several locations along its edge. Also, take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. This is because doors that are too high could cause your cat to do a gymnast's routine every time they need to use the flap!
Get help from a glazier if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap to purchase.
Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw out the shape of the hole on the door. This will give you an idea of how to cutting the hole out and will stop you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the long run!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. If you're fitting a cat flap to a patio door it is vital that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors you could want to delegate this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You might also discover that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you having to leave him alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not good for you or your cat.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it could be a challenge to put in a cat flap. These kinds of doors are often made from different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different, too. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturers as alterations may affect any warranties.
They are designed to last and are tough and have insulation. They are more resistant to the elements than other kinds of doors, however it isn't always easy to install a cat flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door will accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner before starting.
You'll need to take their height in order to ensure they pass through the door. This is easier when they're asleep or calm so that they aren't moving around too often. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. Then, you can mark this spot on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you will need to be careful. cat flap installer near me Repair My Windows And Doors of drilling into metal could cause it to crack, especially if the area is toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install an e-cat flap on a pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the cat flap, which is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap should come with a drawing template that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, you could create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape has already been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the opening and will not open or close.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut the design that was drawn on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked as such If not, ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap up against it and push it open to make sure that the flap's action is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to fix it.
You should also check whether there are no electrical gas or cable lines within the door you'll be cutting into as they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap. Be careful not to damage them in the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, meaning they will not have to face these problems. But, if your door is made of wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed then this will make it more difficult to complete the task.
It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs because it is crucial to get them right to avoid any potential issues in the future. It is essential to get it right, as getting it wrong could damage the door and void the warranty.
Fit the Flap
After you've cut your hole, you can place the flap and check if it opens and is able to fit. If you spot any areas which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit perfectly and can be opened without issue. Be sure that the flap is aligned with the door.
If your tool doesn't have a template, you can use tracing paper that is thin, such as a piece of paper or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw an area on which you'll need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these will be the screw points you'll use to put the flap into the correct position.
Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore easy to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar in this area, it might be advisable to hire a professional to handle the job for you. They will also be able to help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
If you want to install a cat flap on composite doors, you need to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you choose to carry out the work yourself, be aware that this could be a messy and potentially hazardous task.
With composite doors, you'll generally need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this can be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself, as it is extremely fragile. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is much more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.