Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc panel than a glass one but you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain causing damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will let you choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to enter the house and leave without having to open the door each time.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X. However, some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill. If you have one, then attach it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it then make sure you have enough clearance from these to keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Utilize cat flap installers to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can begin removing the rest of the door material. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
Although this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you should be cautious not to damage the doors as this will end your warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough if you are using the standard uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the hole will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.
Cut a hole
It isn't easy to put the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's best to employ an expert to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and that it runs parallel to other parts of the door. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth any edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is crucial to only cut away the material needed to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case, you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is done, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double-glazed window with a metal frame, you will need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they feel like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own glass panels which can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install the cat flap. It's not a simple matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also have to do a few things to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite 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.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting caught in bad weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are children or elderly people in your home that could be injured by glass shards.
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