Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom inside the house.
It is easier to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one, but you will require some expertise and appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape and then use a jigsaw in order to cut the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
The first thing to do is determine the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, then place it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw start to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in. Don't press the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The window cat flap flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. However, installing a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions with care.
It is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough if you are using the standard uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if using an insulated or composite type of door since these are 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 height from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a spot in the door where this measurement is within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area with an eraser and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.
Make a hole
It can be difficult to fit the cat flap cover for winter flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional in to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly but also pose an security risk. It could allow cold air to enter 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 the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and aligns with the rest of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any edges.
Wear any safety gear you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is essential to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.
If the upvc door is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the walls of the flap.
If you are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double glazing cat flap glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap bifold doors flap premade in it. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like and let them relax at home whenever they'd like. If you've got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to fit one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement upvc door panels with cat flap panel then it is possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can choose from a wide range of options, from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.
A circular fitting cat flap in upvc Door panel is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.