Allowing your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it needs to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without opening the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet inside the house when you are away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from entering.
It is important to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap as there are various sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size that fits inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or too large, and your cat may struggle to use it.
Before you take any action but take a ruler and take measurements of the width of the door in various locations along its edge. Also, you should determine the door's height in a few places. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to perform a gymnast's routine every time they want to use the flap!
If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it could be a good idea to seek assistance from a glazier or someone who does this kind of work often. They will be able to help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and provide you with the appropriate size of flap you should purchase.
Once you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw the shape of the hole in the door. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making an error that will cost you money in the end!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. If you're fitting a cat flap to a patio door it is crucial that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or issues with the seal.
It is best to leave the job of installing the cat flap on glass doors to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to fit a cat flap inside the glass pane and you could discover that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet to move around as they please without you having to leave them home alone. It can also help to keep draughts out of your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These kinds of doors are typically made with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is quite different too. 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 manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are made to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of doors, however it can be difficult to install the cat flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap onto the uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to determine their height in order to ensure that they can pass through the door. This will be easiest if they are asleep or calm so that they're not moving around too often. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. You can then mark this position on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. cat flap fitters near me of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, particularly in the case of toughened glass. This is why it's advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap inside glass. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming brittle. A glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a cat flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't, you can make one yourself using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has been penciled on the door, use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the door, and it will not open or close.
Next, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed for uPVC doors. It will typically be identified with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves easily. If it binds at any point, you can use a filer or rasp to fix this.
Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you plan to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fittings in the door, which have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items during the process.
Most people who install the cat flap themselves have a standard solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these issues. However, if your door is made from timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, it will add to the complexity of the task.
For these kinds of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is important to do them correctly to avoid any future issues. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've made your hole cut, put the flap in place to see if it fits and can be opened easily. If you spot any areas that catch or stick to the door, smooth them out using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits properly and opens without issue. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.
If your kit doesn't include a template, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Place the paper against the door and mark the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark out four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these will be the screws that you'll use to secure it into place.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this, it might be wise to get a professional to handle the work for you. They can also help you determine whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, you need to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to these doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to complete the task yourself, remember that it can be a messy and potentially hazardous task.
You'll require an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll need to take great care not to harm the door or yourself as it is extremely fragile. It is important to note that it's more difficult to cut the door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood door.