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Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. cat flap fitting near me can also help prevent your cat from peeing in the house.
Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then finish the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Set a square to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin to remove the rest of the door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people call an expert 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 instructions are adhered to.
While this is far simpler when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you should be cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this, you will be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it is time to make the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've finished the cutting process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily into place.
Cut a hole
It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have experience in DIY it is recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any necessary safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is best to only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
A upvc door may have a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap, if this is done, it is important to fill in the gap and render it watertight.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. It will be much cheaper to have this done than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they'd like. If you've got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly if you don't own a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as making a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door has a template can be used to cut the hole.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can pick from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that only let your pet in. Whatever type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap without getting caught in the rain.
It's a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that could be hurt by glass fragments.