Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap on a door panel made of Upvc is a lot easier than glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the proper 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 the right type and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure the flap stays in position and protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to prevent the pet from straying too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X, but some kits come with a drawing that shows where to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Utilize a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin removing the rest of the door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. However, putting an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.
While this is far easier to do with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors as this will end your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it can fit the new cat flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door since these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you know this then you have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a Hole
It isn't easy to put an animal flap on a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless have plenty of experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look 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 have to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly located and is flush with all the other parts of the door. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready for any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
You should only remove the material needed to create the flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing cat flap installation cost near me can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with wall of the flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to a specialist. They can provide you with a new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be less expensive than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and let them relax in the home whenever they'd like. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own a glass panel which can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to install an animal flap onto the doors. It's not just a matter of cutting a hole into the door. You'll also have to perform a few steps to ensure that it is safe.
A composite door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically includes a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in the door.
Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children in your home who could be injured by glass fragments.