Allowing your cat to move around the house whenever it wants is a great way to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. Having a flap can also help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it needs to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is ideal for keeping them in the home when you're away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of your home as well!
It is essential to measure the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the correct size for the door you have. Otherwise, it could be too large or too small, and your cat could have trouble using it.
Before doing anything but take a ruler and determine the width of the door in various places along its edges. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few spots. A door that is too high will make your cat do an exercise routine every time it uses the flap.
Ask a glazier for assistance 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 step to do is mark out the shape of the hole on the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making an error that will cost you money in the end!
You must also ensure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. If you are fitting an apex flap to a patio door it is 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 a glass door, it might be best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into 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 come and go whenever they want without you needing to leave him alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat or you.
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. These types of doors are typically made with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different, too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough, with insulation. They are more resistant to weather than other kinds of doors, however it isn't easy to install a cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional jointer prior to beginning.
You'll need to take the height of your child to ensure that they can fit through the door. This will be easiest when they're sleeping or calm, so that they're not moving around too much. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. You can then mark this location on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you need be extra cautious. The process of drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap comes with a drawing template that you can use to mark the spot on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, you can create your own by using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, you can then use your spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was written on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC door use. It is usually labeled with this information. If not you can ask the staff at the DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut, place the flap section against it and then open it to make sure the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound on any points then make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.
Also, make sure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door that you will be cutting into 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 to install the cat flap. You should be careful not to damage them during the process.
Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door and will not have to worry about any of these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative piece that is not easily removed, this can make the job.
For these types of jobs, it's worth getting expert advice from a cat flap fitter. It is essential to do them correctly to avoid any future issues. It is essential to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and void the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, put the flap to check whether it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, file them down with a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap sits flush with the door too.
Some kits come with an example of this, but even if yours doesn't provide a template, you could use a piece or thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. 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). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These are the screw holes that you'll use to secure it in the right position.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this then it may be wise to get a professional to do the work for you. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk should also be able to advise you on whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
It is possible to install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors, but it is important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes as any alterations to these doors could void the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, remember that it can be a messy and potentially dangerous job.
When you have composite doors, you'll generally require a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame instead of just cutting through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you'll have to be extra careful to not damage the door. It's also important to note that cutting a hole into any kind of glass door is far more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid timber door.