Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house at will is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for the cat to leave the house when required.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to go and come whenever they want without opening the door for them. cat flap installers near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is a great method to keep your pet safe in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from getting into your.
It is important to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap as there are various sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the right size for your door made of upvc. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or too small, and your cat could have difficulty using it.
Before doing anything but take a ruler and measure the width of the door in a variety of locations along its edge. Also, you should measure the door's height in a couple of places. A door that is too high will make your cat do an exercise routine every time it uses the flap.
Ask a glazier for help if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They will be able to assist you in determining whether your door is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap you should purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw out the shape of the hole on the door. This will aid you when you cut the hole and will save you money!
You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. For example, if you're fitting the cat flap in the patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and damage to the seal.
If you have glass doors you could want to let this job to a glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into 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 whenever they want without having to leave them to themselves. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't healthy for your cat or you.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door, it could be a challenge to put in a cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different, too. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible prior to installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can cause warranty issues.
In general, these kinds of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other doors, but they may be difficult to install the cat flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need determine their height. This will be easiest when they're sleeping or calm, so that they aren't moving around too much. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. This location can be outlined on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is composed of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an expert glazier to install your cat flap in the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap comes with a template that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole will be. If it doesn't, you can create one by using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape has already been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the opening, and it will not open or close.
Next, take your jigsaw, and cut the design that was marked on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC door use. It is usually marked with this information. If not, ask the staff in the DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole made then place the flap against it and push it open to make sure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it is bound on any point, then make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.
Check that there aren't any gas or electric pipes inside the door you plan to cut through. Your jigsaw could damage them. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will have to be removed to make room for the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch them during the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap themselves will have a standard solid uPVC door, and therefore will not be dealing with any of these issues. However, if your door is made of timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, this could increase the difficulty of the task.
It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs because it is important to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. It is crucial to get it right, as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap to see whether it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that stick or catch to the door, smooth them out using an sandpaper or hand file until it is a perfect fit and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is in a flush position with the door.
Some kits come with a template for this but even if yours doesn't, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes on every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you made on the door. These will be the screw points that you'll need to use to fix the flap to the door.
Most uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar with this then it may be wise to get an expert to complete the work for you. They should also be able to help you determine whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
You can fit a cat flap into composite doors, but it is important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner before you do so since any modifications to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be messy and even dangerous.
For composite doors, you'll generally need to use the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame rather than simply through the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself, as it is extremely fragile. It is important to note that it is much more difficult to make a hole in a door glass than it is for a uPVC door or a solid wood door.