Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating inside the house.
Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat flap on the door can be a challenge but as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be a problem. We will show you how to draw the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then finish off the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you will require. This will enable you to select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.
If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, you can stick it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Set a square to ensure that you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home steady. However, putting an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the directions are followed.
It is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. First, you must examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you may require more care if you have an alternative type of door since these are more difficult to cut into 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 bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you know this, you will be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you create will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.
Cut a hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A botched job may not only be unsightly but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and aligns with the door's other parts. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you need to work with a power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.
It is best to only remove the material needed to make the flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than that could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.
If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.
If you're planning to install an animal flap to a upvc door or double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who will supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It is much less expensive to do this than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they want to. However, if you have an uPVC door it can be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to fit one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not a matter of cutting holes in the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that it is secure.
A composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically has a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.
Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can purchase and install various models, from basic push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you pick, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
cat flaps RepairMyWindowsAndDoors 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 if drills are used on it. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children in your home that might be injured by glass shattering.