Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please without you needing to let him in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is simpler to install a cat flap on a upvc door panel with cat flap fitted panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap installation flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be a problem. We will be showing how to trace the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure your pet's width. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow 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 positioned, usually this is done with an X. However, some kits include drawings that show where to drill. If you have one, then attach it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Use a set square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can begin removing the remaining door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle 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 allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. Installing a cat flap on your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
This is much easier to accomplish on wooden doors with cat flap, but it is still possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough for an ordinary uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area on the door that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you create will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing cat flap glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be 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 with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.
You should only remove the material that is required to create the flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario, you will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the walls of the flap.
If you are fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (Read Home ) the cat flap onto the frame of a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who will 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 fit the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they feel like it. If you have an upvc cat flap door panels front door, it might be hard to install the cat flap. This is particularly true in the event that you don't own an glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole through the door though and there are some things you'll need first to make sure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. No matter which type of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly important if you have a child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards of glass.