The freedom to let your cat move around the house at will is an excellent method to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it needs to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to move around whenever they want without opening the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet safe in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering.
It's important to measure the door prior to when you purchase the cat flap, as there are different sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the right size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too big or small, and your cat could be unable to use it.
Use a ruler to measure the width at several points along the edge of the door. Also, determine the door's height in a few spots. A door that is too high will make your cat do an acrobatics routine each time it uses the flap.
Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They'll be able to determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will advise you on what size flap to buy.
Draw the shape of your hole on the door after you have taken your measurements. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making a mistake that could cost you money in the long run!
Make sure you make holes in the right place. For example, if you're fitting the cat flap in the patio door, you must ensure that the hole is not too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have a glass door you could want to let this job to a glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet to move around whenever they want without having to leave them on their own. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat or you.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These types of doors are often made with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different, too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if it is compatible prior to installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may be detrimental to warranties.
They are designed to be durable and tough and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, but they can be difficult to install an animal flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to take the height of your child to make sure they fit through the door. It is easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so that they aren't moving around. Once you've established their height, you can measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. Then, you can mark this position on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you have be extra cautious. The act of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, particularly if the area is toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ an experienced glass installer to install the cat flap inside a pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole to use for the cat flap, which will be less likely to crack and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap comes with a template drawing that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to be. If it does not then you can create one by using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape has been drawn on the door, you can use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to sit properly in the door and prevent it from being able to slide open or close.
Then, employ a jigsaw for cutting out the design that is on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked accordingly, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole made, place the flap section against it and then push it open to make sure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes within the door you plan to cut into. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fixtures on the door which have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items during the process.
Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these issues. But, if your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will add to the complexity of the job.
It is always worth seeking assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. If you do it wrong, it could cause the door to be damaged and may cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, put the flap to see whether it opens and fits well. If you find any points that catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit properly and open without difficulty. Make sure the flap sits in a flush position with the door.
Some kits include an example of this, however, even if yours does not, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screw points that you'll need to fix it in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. If your door is made of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it's recommended that you hire a professional. They can also help you determine whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap install ation.
If you want to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be messy and even dangerous.
You'll require a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors, rather than only the GRP. This is a risky job, and you'll have to be extra careful to avoid damaging the door. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is a lot more difficult than making the same changes in a uPVC or solid wooden door.