Cat flaps let your cat go in and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from peeing in the home.
Installing a cat flap into a door panel made of Upvc is much simpler than installing one in glass
doors with cat flap, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X, however some kits come with drawings that show where to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you've drawn in. Don't press the blade too hard, as this can make it cut faster than you'd like it to. If you have a set square then use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can start to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also helps prevent draughts and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, which is why many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the instructions are adhered to.
While this is much simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate the warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it can accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough if you are using a standard uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if you have a composite or other kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the size of your
fitting cat flap in upvc door panel's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need find a place on the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have this information you'll have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your
cat flap installation near me.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.
Cut a hole
It can be a challenge to put an animal flap on the door panel or double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it is best to employ a professional to complete the work for you. A mistake in the process may not just be ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs parallel to other parts of the door. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready to smooth any edges.
Wear the safety equipment you require when working with the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.
It is best to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you're looking to install a cat flap inside a
upvc cat flap door panels or double-glazed window with frames made of metal, you'll need to consult a specialist. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to do this than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they like, allowing them to relax at home whenever they like. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own an glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC
replacement upvc door panel with cat flap panel, it is possible to add a
cat flap installation cost flap. It's not as easy as simply making a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first 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. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can buy and fit many different models, from basic push-button operated models to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
It's a good idea select circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people in your home who could be hurt by glass shattering.