Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house whenever it wants is a great way to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for the cat to leave the house when required.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests out of your.
You should take measurements of the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size that fits inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or too large and your cat will struggle to use it.
Use a ruler to determine the width at several locations along the edge of the door. You should also determine the door's height in a few places. A door that is too tall will cause your cat to do an exercise routine every time it uses the flap.
Ask a glazier for help if you aren't sure what to measure for the door. They'll be able assist you in determining whether not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.
Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark out the shape of the hole in the door. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will stop you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the end!
You should also make sure that the hole you're making is in the correct place. If you're installing a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.
It is best to leave the job of installing the cat flap onto glass doors to an experienced glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to leave them home to themselves. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for your cat as well as you.
If you do have a uPVC or composite door it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Before you consider fitting the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.
In general, these kinds of doors are built to be tough and durable with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other types of doors, however they can be a challenge to insert a cat flap into. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional jointer prior to starting.
To ensure that your cat can get through the door, you'll have to determine their height. This will be easiest when they're sleeping or calm, so that they don't move around too much. Once you have their height you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor in order to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This position is marked on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal could cause cracks, particularly if the area is toughened glass. cat flap installer www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is highly recommended to hire a glass installer when installing a cat flap in a pane. This will prevent the glass from shattering or becoming brittle. A Glazier is also capable of providing you with a cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't then you can create one yourself with a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you could create your own by using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape has already been penciled on the door, use your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to properly fit into the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or closed.
Then, you can make use of a jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked as such however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once the hole is cut, place the flap section against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves smoothly. If it binds at any point, you can use the filer or the rasp to correct this.
You should also check that there are no electric cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting into since they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them during this process.
The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these issues. But, if your door is made of timber or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, this could make it more difficult to complete the task.
It is always advisable to seek expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs since it is crucial to get the job done correctly to avoid possible issues in the future. It is essential to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that catch or stick or stick, you can file them down using an sandpaper or hand file until it fits properly and opens with no issues. Be sure that the flap is flush with the door.
Some kits include a template for this however, if it doesn't have a template, you can use a piece or thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to show the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark out four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these will be the screws you'll use to fit it in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite material, this can be more complicated. If you are not familiar with this, it is recommended to consult an expert. They will also be able to inform you if the door is suitable to install the cat flap.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on composite doors, you need to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to complete the task yourself, be aware that this can be a messy and potentially hazardous task.
You'll need to use a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. This is a risky task, and you'll require extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's also worth noting that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is far more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid wood door.