Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.
Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then complete the job by securing the
cat flap fitting near me flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to keep them from moving too far either way.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be placed. typically this is done using an X, however some kits include an illustration that outlines the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.
Put on your eye protection and dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin cutting according to the lines you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard, as this could make it cut faster than you want it to. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, installing a cat flap in your door could be an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
Although this is much simpler with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors as this will end your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will fit the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult if you are using a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an alternative kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area with pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the
cat flap cover for winter flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is located and is parallel to the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
You should only remove the material that is required to create the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the door frame.
If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.
If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a
double glazing cat flap glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is much less expensive to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they want to. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut for one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add a cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's safe.
A composite door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door has a template you can use to make the hole.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your
cat flap cost can comfortably use the flap and not get trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular
fitting cat flap in Upvc door panel is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could break and cause harm to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.