Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house at will is an excellent way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for cats to leave the house if necessary.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This makes it ideal to keep them in the house when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the home too!
It is important to measure 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 right size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or too large, and your cat may be unable to use it.
Take a ruler, and determine the width at several points along the edge of the door. Also, you should determine the door's height in a few places. A door that is too high will make your cat do an exercise routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.
If you're unsure of how to measure a door, it might be a good idea to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this type of work frequently. They'll be able assist you in determining whether your door is suitable for a cat flap and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.
Mark out the shape of the hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will help you when you're cutting the hole and will save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is placed in the right spot. For instance, if you're fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors it is best to leave this task to a glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to leave them on their own. It can also keep draughts out of your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the installation is different. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if the door is compatible prior to installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are generally designed to last and are tough with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to fit a cat flap into. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat can access the door, you'll need measure their height. This is easier when they're asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too much. 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 bottom of the flap. You can then mark this spot on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is highly 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 will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap should come with a template drawing that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, you can make one using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). After a fantastic read is drawn in pencil on the door, you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being in a position to slide open or closed.
Then, you can employ a jigsaw for cutting out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make sure you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole drilled then place the flap up against it and push it open to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it becomes stuck on any points then make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.
Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're planning to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that need to be removed in order to install the cat flap. You should be cautious not to scratch them in the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, meaning they won't be faced with these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that is not easily removed, this can make the task.
It is always worth seeking assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is important to get them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. Getting it wrong can cause the door to be damaged, which could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Fit the Flap
Once you've got the hole drilled, place the flap on to test if it fits and can be opened easily. If you notice any spots that stick or catch to the door, smooth them out using an sandpaper or hand file until it is a perfect fit and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap sits flush with the door too.
If your kit doesn't include templates, you can use thin paper like tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door and mark the area where you'll need to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw holes you'll need to fix the flap in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. But, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then it can be more challenging. If you're not familiar in this area, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to do the work for you. They will also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap installation.
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 these doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you choose to do the work yourself, be aware that this could be a messy and potentially dangerous job.
When you have composite doors, you'll usually need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel instead of just cutting through the GRP. This can be a dangerous job, and you will require extra care to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's also important to note that cutting holes into any type of door glass is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.