Allowing your cat to come and go out of the house at its own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically engaged. Having a flap can also aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go whenever they want without opening the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps 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. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the right size for the door you have. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or too small and your cat may have difficulty using it.
Use a ruler to determine the width at several locations along the edge of the door. Also, you should take measurements of the door's height in a few places. A door that is too tall will make your cat do an acrobatics routine each time it wants to use the flap.
If you're unsure of how to measure the door, it could be best to ask for assistance from a glazier or someone who does this type of work frequently. They'll be able assist you in determining whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.
Draw the outline of the hole on your door once you have your measurements. This will assist you when you're cutting the hole and save you money!
Make sure to put the hole in the correct location. If you are fitting a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's crucial that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or issues with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass you could want to let this job to a glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come as they please without you needing to leave them alone. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which isn't beneficial for your cat as well as you.
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed from different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is different, too. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can cause warranty issues.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are built to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other doors, but they may be a challenge to insert the cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner before beginning.
To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need take a measurement of their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so that they don't sway around. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. Then, you can mark this location on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal could cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in an e-cat flap on the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap should come with a template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole should be. If it doesn't, you can create your own by using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level and ensure that it is horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to properly fit into the opening and prevent it being in a position to slide open or close.
Then, you can make use of a jigsaw to cut out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make cat flap bifold doors that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly If not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole drilled and the flap section is in place, put it against it and then push it open to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to correct this.
Check that there aren't any gas or electric pipes inside the door you're going to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed to install the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them in the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, so they will not have to face these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative element that cannot be removed, this will complicate the job.
It is always worthwhile seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs since it is crucial to get the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. If you do it wrong, it could cause the door to be damaged and may cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Install the Flap
After you've cut your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and is able to fit. If you find any points which catch or stick, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit perfectly and open without any problems. Be sure that the flap is aligned with the door.
If your tool doesn't have templates, you can use thin paper like tracing or acetate. Lay the paper against the door and draw an area on which you'll will need to place the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark out four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These will be the screws that you'll use to secure it in the correct position.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then this can be more complicated. If you're unfamiliar with this, it might be advisable to hire a professional to handle the job for you. They will also be able inform you if the door is suitable to install a cat flap.
You can install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors but it's important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner first because any changes to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be messy and even dangerous.
You'll require an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors, rather than only the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will need to take extra care to not damage the door. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole into any type of glass for a door is much more difficult than making the same changes in a uPVC or solid wooden door.
