Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.
It is simpler to install an animal flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll need some skills and the right tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door can be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use an jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.
The first step is measure the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and exit without having to open the door each time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then put it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Set a square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin removing the remaining door material. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature steady.
Fitting Cat Flap in upvc door panel a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are adhered to.
It is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. First, you must measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you may need to be more careful.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area on the door that allows your cat to pass
through wall cat flap comfortably. Once you know this you'll be required to mark the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient 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 while using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.
Cut a Hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air out when it is inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and aligns with the door's other parts. Make sure to have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is essential to only cut away the material needed to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the door frame.
A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap, and in this case you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not touch the the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into an
upvc door panels with cat flap door or a double-glazed
window with cat flap with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It is cheaper to do this instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they like. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have an glass panel that can be cut. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install a cat flap. It's not a matter of slicing a hole into the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in your door.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button units to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in the rain.
It is a good idea to opt for circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or your family. This is especially crucial if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who could be injured by shards of glass.