The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at its own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically active. A flap can reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house if needed.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without having to open the door. This is ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests from the house as well!
You should take measurements of the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are cat flap installation www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk . This ensures that you get 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 be unable to use it.
Use a ruler to take measurements of the width at various points along the edge of the door. Also, you should take measurements of the door's height in a few places. This is because a door that is too high can cause your cat to perform a gymnast's routine every time they want to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They'll be able to determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and give you advice on the right size flap you should purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is mark the outline of the hole on the door. This will assist you when you cut the hole and will save you money!
You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is in the correct place. If you're fitting a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or issues with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass it is best to delegate this task to a glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. It is also possible that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to leave them on their own. It also helps keep draughts out of your home, which isn't good for either you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you think about installing an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are made to be tough and durable and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they can be a challenge to insert an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to starting.
To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need measure their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they're at peace or asleep, which means they don't sway around. Once you have their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. Then, you can mark this spot on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ an expert glass installer when putting in the cat flap inside a pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking and becoming fragile. A glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap will come with a drawing template that you can use to mark the spot on your door where the hole will be. If it doesn't, you can make one using the thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape has been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the door, and it will not slide open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the shape drawn on the door. Use a blade that is specifically designed specifically for uPVC doors. It is usually identified with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for help. After the hole has been cut then place the flap against it and then open it to ensure that the flap moves smoothly. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to correct this.
Also, make sure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting through, as they could be damaged by your jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door which must be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to scratch these objects during the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, meaning they will not have to face these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that isn't easily removed, it will make the task.
For these types of jobs, it is important to get guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is essential to do it right because doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you notice any spots that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. Be sure that the flap is in line with the door.
Some kits include a template for this but even if yours doesn't provide a template, you could make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screws you'll need to fix the flap to the door.
The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite material, this may be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this, it might be wise to get an expert to complete the work for you. They can also provide you with advice on whether or not your door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you want to install a cat flap on composite doors, you need to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to these doors may cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to complete the task yourself, be aware that this can be a messy and potentially dangerous task.
When you have composite doors, you'll typically require the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel rather than simply through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will require extra care to not damage the door. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to create a hole in a door glass than a uPVC door or solid wood doors.