Allowing your cat to move around the house at will is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for cats to leave the house when necessary.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want without having to open the door. This is a great method to keep your pet in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from entering.
It is essential to take measurements of the door to ensure that you have the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it may be too big or small, and your cat could be unable to use it.
Take a ruler, and take measurements of the width at various places along the edges of the door. You should also measure the door's height in a few spots. A door that is too high can cause your cat to perform an acrobatics routine each time it is tempted to use the flap.
If you're not sure of how to measure a door, it might be a good idea to seek help from a glazier or someone who is familiar with this kind of work regularly. They can determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and can help you decide on the size of flap you should purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the outline of the hole in the door. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole out and will stop you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!
Make sure you make holes in the right place. If you're installing a cat flap to a patio door it is important that the hole does not reach too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or issues with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass it is best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. It is also possible that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come as they please without you having to leave them alone. It also helps keep draughts out of your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. cat flap installer near me are made of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible and that you've checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are built to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, but they may be difficult to fit a cat flap into. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to take their height to make sure they pass through the door. This is easiest when they're sleeping or calm, so that they're not moving around too much. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. Then, you can mark this position on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you will need to be careful. The process of drilling into the metal may cause it to crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install an e-cat flap on the pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming fragile. A glazier will also be capable of providing you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap comes with a template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole needs to be. If it doesn't, you can make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, use your spirit level and make sure that it is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being able to slide open or close.
Then, employ a jigsaw for cutting out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it to ensure that the flap moves easily. If it becomes stuck on any point, then make use of a file or a rasp to fix this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting through as they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them in the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and will not be dealing with any of these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative piece that cannot be removed, it will make the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. It is important to do it right because making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.
Fit the Flap
Once you've got the hole drilled, place the flap in place to check if it fits and is able to open easily. If you spot any areas that catch or stick, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. Be sure that the flap is in line with the door.
Some kits include templates for this, but even if yours doesn't, you can use a piece or thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to show where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screw holes will be used to secure the flap to the door.
Most uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite, it can be more challenging. If you're not comfortable with this, it's recommended that you hire a professional. They will also be able determine if your door is suitable for the installation of an animal flap.
You can install a cat flap into composite doors but it's important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner prior to making any changes since any modifications to these types of doors could void the warranty. If you choose to do the work yourself, be aware that this could be a messy and potentially hazardous task.
You'll need to use a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will need to take extra care to not damage the door. It's important to remember that cutting a hole into any kind of glass door is far more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid wooden door.