The freedom to let your cat go in and out of the house as it pleases is a great method to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for the cat to leave the house if required.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go as they please without having to open the door for them. This makes it perfect for keeping them in the home when you’re away, and helps keep unwanted pests from the home too!
It is important to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap since there are different sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or large and your cat will struggle to use it.
Before you take any action, though, take a ruler and take measurements of the length of the door in several places along its edges. Also, you should measure the door’s height in a couple of places. This is because doors that are too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast’s routine every time they want to use the flap!
Get help from a glazier in case you’re not sure what to measure for the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and advise you on what size flap to purchase.
Draw the outline of the hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will assist you when cutting the hole, and will save you money!
Make sure you make holes in the right place. If you’re fitting the cat flap onto a patio door it is important that the hole does not be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.
It is recommended to leave the job of installing the cat flap install flap on the glass door to an experienced glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat flap into an existing glass pane and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want without you having to leave him home on his own. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn’t good for your cat flaps for french doors or you.
If you do have a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These kinds of doors are typically made from different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different, too. Before you consider fitting a cat flap In A upvc door a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it is compatible and that you’ve checked with the manufacturer because alterations could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable with insulation. They are more resistant to the weather than other types of doors, however it isn’t easy to install a cat flap. If you’re uncertain about whether your upvc door panels with cat flap or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner before beginning.
You’ll need to take their height to make sure they fit through the door. It’s easier to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so that they don’t sway around. Once you’ve determined their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. You can then mark this spot on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel) you’ll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal could cause it to crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ an expert glass installer when putting in a cat flap in a pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A Glazier is also in a position to provide you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If not, you can make one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn’t, make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the door, and it won’t slide open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut the shape marked on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC door use. It will typically be identified with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for help. Once you have the hole cut out and the flap section is in place, put it up against it and push it open to ensure that the flap’s action is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, use the filer or the rasp to correct this.
Check that there aren’t any electric or gas pipes in the door you’re going to cut through. Your jigsaw could damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that need to be removed to make room for the cat flap. Be careful not to damage them during the process.
Most people who install the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so will not be dealing with any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that cannot be removed, it will make the job.
It is always worth seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is essential to do the job done correctly to avoid possible issues in the future. If you do it wrong, it could cause the door to be damaged, which could invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you’ve cut your hole, put the flap and check if it opens and fits well. If you find any points that stick or catch to the door, smooth them out using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens without any problems. Make sure that the flap is in a flush position with the door.
Some kits include templates for this, however, if it doesn’t have a template, you can use a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Lay the paper against the door and mark a line where you need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw holes you’ll need to use to fix it in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite then this can be more complicated. If you’re unfamiliar in this area, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to handle the work for you. They will also be able tell you if your door is suitable for the installation of the cat flap.
It is possible to install the cat flap onto composite doors. However, it’s essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes because any changes to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be a messy job and even dangerous.
You’ll require an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors more than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you’ll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself, as it’s extremely fragile. It’s also important to note that cutting a hole into any type of door glass is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid wooden door.