The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally active. Having a flap can also aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it is required to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet safe in the house when you are away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from getting into your.
It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or large for your cat and he will struggle to use it.
Before doing anything but take a ruler and take measurements of the width of the door in several places along its edge. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few places. A door that is too tall can cause your cat to perform an acrobatics routine each time it is tempted to use the flap.
If you're not sure how to measure the door, it could be best to seek assistance from a glazier, or someone who does this kind of work frequently. They will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and help you decide on the size of flap you should purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to mark the shape of the hole on the door. This will provide you with an idea of how to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making an error that will cost you money in the future!
You should also make sure that the hole you're making is in the correct place. For instance, if fitting the cat flap in the patio door, it's important that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have glass doors, it might be best to leave this task to a professional glazier. cat flap installation near me can be a challenge to install the cat flap onto the glass pane and you might find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you having to leave him alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat as well as you.
If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These types of doors are often made with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is quite different too. Before you consider fitting the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it's compatible and that you've checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough with insulation. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, however they can be a challenge to insert the cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner prior to beginning.
You'll need to determine their height in order to make sure they pass through the door. It's easier to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so that they aren't moving around. Once you know their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. You can then mark this position on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you have be extra cautious. The process of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, particularly in the case of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to employ a glazier when installing your cat flap in glass. This will prevent the glass from breaking and becoming fragile. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole to use for the cat flap, which will be less likely to crack and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
If not however, you can make one yourself by using a piece of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you could create your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape is drawn on the door, you can then use a spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC door use. It will usually be labeled with this information. If not you can ask the staff at the DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out and the flap section is in place, put it against it and push it out to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it is bound at any point, you can use a filer or a rasp to correct this.
It is also important to ensure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting through, as they could be damaged by the jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will need to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be cautious not to damage these items while cutting.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have the standard solid uPVC front door, so they won't have to deal with these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative part that is not easily removed, this will complicate the job.
It is always advisable to seek expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs since it is important to get them done right to avoid potential issues in the future. It is important to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and void the warranty.
Fit the Flap
Once you've got your hole drilled, put the flap on to check whether it will fit and opens easily. If you find any points that catch or stick or stick, you can file them down using an sandpaper or hand file until it fits properly and opens without issue. Make sure the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.
Some kits include a template for this but even if yours doesn't, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and mark the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw holes will be used to secure the flap in place.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite material, it can be more challenging. If you are not familiar with this, it is recommended that you hire an expert. They will also be able to tell you if your door is suitable for the installation of a cat flap.
You can install the cat flap onto composite doors but it's important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner before you do so because any changes to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be messy and even dangerous.
With composite doors, you'll generally require a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this can be very dangerous and you'll need to take great care not to harm the door or yourself, as it is very fragile. It's important to remember that it's more difficult to cut holes in door glass than a uPVC door or solid wood doors.