Allowing your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally active. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house if necessary.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without you having to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet safe in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from getting into your.
You should examine the door's measurements to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or large and your cat will struggle to use it.
Get a ruler and take measurements of the width at various points along the edge of the door. Also, take measurements of the door's height in a few places. This is because doors that are too high could cause your cat to do a gymnast's routine every time they want to use the flap!
Get help from a glazier when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They should be able to assist you in determining whether not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap you should purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is mark the shape of the hole in the door. This will give you a guide when it comes to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the long run!
Make sure to put the hole in the correct position. If you are fitting a cat flap to the patio door, it is vital that the hole does not be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass, it might be best to delegate this task to a professional glazier. It may be difficult to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they wish without having to leave him home on his own. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat as well as you.
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you think about installing the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it's compatible and that you have consulted the manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. They are more resistant to the weather than other types of doors, however it isn't always easy to install the cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner before beginning.
You'll need to determine their height to ensure they fit through the door. It is easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so they don't sway around. Once you have their height and weight, you can determine the distance between their stomachs and the floor in order to determine the position of the flap's bottom. Then, you can mark this position on the door.
When using power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you need be extra cautious. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in an e-cat flap on the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap should come with a drawing template that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole should be. If it isn't, you can create one by using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, you can use your spirit level and make sure that it is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to be properly seated in the opening and stop it from being capable of sliding open or closed.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut out the shape that has been written on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC doors. It is usually marked with this information. If not you can ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut, place the flap section against it and open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it becomes stuck on any points then make use of a file or a rasp to fix it.
You should also check that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door that you will be cutting through since they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed to install the cat flap and be careful not to harm them during the process.
Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and will not be dealing with any of these problems. But, if your door is constructed of wood or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, this could make it more difficult to complete the job.
For these types of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is important to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. It is essential to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and void the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've got your hole drilled, put the flap in place to see whether it will fit and opens easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it is a perfect fit and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap is in a flush position with the door.
If your kit doesn't include a template, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line where you will need to place the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw holes you'll need to fix it in place.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this then it may be advisable to hire an expert to complete the work for you. They should also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
It is possible to install the cat flap onto composite doors. However, cat flap installation near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes because any changes to these types of doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.
You'll need to use a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors rather than only the GRP. This can be a dangerous job, and you will need to take extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to make holes in door glass than it is for a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.