Allowing your cat to come and go out of the home at its own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for cats to leave the home when necessary.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they'd like without needing to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet in the house when you are away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests out of your.
It is important to examine the door's measurements to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. This ensures that you get the right size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it could be too small or too large and your cat will struggle to use it.
Use a ruler to take measurements of the width at various locations along the edge of the door. Also, you should determine the door's height in a few places. This is because the door that is too high could cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for assistance if you aren't sure how to measure the door. repairmywindowsanddoors will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and give you advice on the right size flap to buy.
Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the outline of the hole on the door. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!
Make sure that you put holes in the right location. If you're installing a cat flap to a patio door it is important that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have a glass door you could want to leave this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. It is also possible 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 having to leave him all by himself. It can also help to stop draughts from entering your home, which isn't bad 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 usually constructed from different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is quite different too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if it is compatible prior to installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are typically designed to be tough and durable with insulation. They are more resistant to weather than other kinds of door, but it can be difficult to install a cat flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to take their height in order to ensure that they can pass through the door. It's easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so they don't sway around. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. You can then mark this position on the door.
When using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you need be extra cautious. The process of drilling into metal could cause it to crack, especially in the case of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install the cat flap inside the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A Glazier is also capable of providing you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap should come with a template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole will be. If it doesn't, you could create your own by using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). Once the shape has been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level and ensure that it is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being able to slide open or close.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut out the design that was drawn on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC door use. It will typically be identified with this information. If not you can ask the staff at your DIY store for help. After the hole has been cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it, making sure that the flap moves easily. If it becomes stuck at any point, use a filer or a rasp to fix this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric gas or cable lines within the door that you will be cutting through, because they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fittings on the door which will need to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items while cutting.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, so they will not have to face these problems. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative part that isn't easily removed, this can make the job.
For these types of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is crucial to complete the job correctly to avoid any future issues. If you do it wrong, it could lead to the door being damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap and check if it opens and fits. If you notice any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they fit properly and open without any problems. Make sure the flap is in line with the door.
Some kits include templates for this, but even if yours doesn't have a template, you can use a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you made on the door. These will be the screw points that will be used to secure the flap to the door.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. If your door is made of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it's recommended to consult a professional. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
If you want to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is essential to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be messy and may even be hazardous.
With composite doors, you'll generally require a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel instead of just cutting through the GRP. This can be a dangerous task, and you'll have to be extra careful to avoid damaging the door. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any type of door glass is much more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid timber door.