The freedom to let your cat move around the house as it pleases is an excellent way to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can reduce the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for your cat to leave the home when required.
Take a look at the Door
A cat flap lets your pet leave and come back whenever they want without you having to open the door. This is a great method to keep your pet safe in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests out of your.
It is important to examine the door's measurements to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for the door you have. Otherwise, it may be too big or small and your cat may be unable to use it.
Before doing anything but take a ruler and measure the width of the door in a variety of locations along its edge. You should also determine the door's height in a few places. This is because a door that is too high will cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!
If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it may be a good idea to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this kind of work frequently. They can determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and advise you on what size flap you should purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the shape of the hole on the door. This will aid you when you're cutting the hole and will save you money!
Make sure to put holes in the right location. For instance, if fitting the cat flap in the patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have a glass door it is best to leave this task to a glazier. It can be very tricky to install a cat flap into an existing glass pane, and you may find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want without you needing to leave him alone. It can also help to keep draughts out of your house, which aren't bad for 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 constructed of different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it is compatible and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are built to be durable and tough with insulation included. They are more resistant to the weather than other types of doors, however it isn't easy to install an animal flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
You'll have to measure their height to ensure that they can fit through the door. It's easier to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so that they don't move around. Once you've determined their height, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. This location can be outlined on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's highly advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap in the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming brittle. A Glazier is also 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
If it doesn't, you can make one yourself with a sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you can make one yourself using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape has already been penciled on the door, use your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the door, and it will not open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the shape drawn on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once the hole is made, place the flap section against it and open it, making sure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to fix this.
Also, make sure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting through since they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. Be aware of any handles, or other fixtures in the door, which have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items during the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, which means they will not have to face these problems. But, if your door is made of wood or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed then this will make it more difficult to complete the task.
It is always advisable to seek professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is essential to do them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. It is crucial to get it right as doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to test whether it will fit and opens easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit perfectly and open without difficulty. Make sure the flap is flush with the door too.
how much to install a cat flap come with templates for this, however, if it doesn't provide a template, you could use a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screws you'll need to use to fix the flap in place.
Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this then it may be beneficial to engage an expert to complete the work for you. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is important to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to the doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be a messy job and even dangerous.
You'll need to use an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors more than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take great care not to damage the door or yourself as it's extremely fragile. It's important to remember that it is much more difficult to create holes in door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.