Allowing your cat to move around the house as it pleases is a great way to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the home when required.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet inside the home when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests out of your.
It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are various sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the proper size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it could be too large or small, and your cat could have difficulty using it.
Take a ruler, and take measurements of the width at various points along the edge of the door. You should also measure the height of the door in a few spots. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do an exercise routine every time it wants to use the flap.
Get help from a glazier if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for
cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap to purchase.
Draw the outline of your hole on the door after you have taken your measurements. This will aid you when you're cutting the hole and save you money!
Make sure that you put the hole in the correct place. For example, if you're installing the cat flap on the patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, as this can cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have a glass door it is best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be a challenge to install a cat flap inside an existing glass pane and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want, without having to leave him on his own. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which isn't good for your cat as well as you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and that you have consulted the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.
In general, these kinds of doors are designed to be tough and durable, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, however they can be a challenge to insert an animal flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to determine their height to make sure they fit through the door. This is easier if they are asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too often. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. You can then mark this position on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important to be very careful when cutting it using power tools. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap in the glass pane. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming fragile. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole for the cat flap, which will be less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap comes with a template drawing that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, create your own by using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door you can then use your spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the opening and will not slide open or close.
Next, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such however, if not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole drilled and the flap section is in place, put it against it and push it open to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds on any points then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.
Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you're going to cut into. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items in the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap themselves will have a standard solid uPVC door, and therefore won't have to deal with any of these problems. However, if your door is made from wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, this could make it more difficult to complete the task.
It is always worthwhile seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs because it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Fit the Flap
Once you've got your hole drilled, put the flap in place to check if it fits and is able to open easily. If you notice any points which catch or stick or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit properly and can be opened without issue. Make sure that the flap is aligned with the door.
Some kits come with a template for this however, even if yours does not, you can use a piece or thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door and draw
Fitting A Cat Flap In A Upvc Door line in order to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Make four screw holes at each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to fix it in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite then this can be more complicated. If you're unfamiliar with this, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to do the work for you. They can also determine if your door is suitable for installing the cat flap.
It is possible to install the cat flap onto composite doors but it's important to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first since any modifications to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that it can be a messy job and could be dangerous.
You'll need to use a saw or grinder to cut
through wall cat flap composite doors rather than only the GRP. This is
fitting a cat flap risky job, and you will need to take extra care to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to make a hole in a door glass than a uPVC door or solid wood door.
