Allowing your cat to come and go from the house at its own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically stimulated. Having back door with cat flap fitted can also aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house whenever it wants to.
Take a look at the Door
A cat flap lets your pet leave and come back whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This is ideal to keep them in the house when you're home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of your home as well!
It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures you get the right size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or too large and your cat will have trouble using it.
Get a ruler and take measurements of the width at various places along the edges of the door. Also, take measurements of the door's height in a few places. This is because the door that is too high can cause your cat to do an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they use the flap!
Get help from a glazier if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They should be able to assist you in determining whether not your door is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to buy.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is mark the shape of the hole in the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will stop you from making an error that will cost you money in the future!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. If you're fitting a cat flap to a patio door it is crucial that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.
If you have a glass door, it might be best to let this job to a glazier. It can be a challenge to fit the cat flap onto an existing glass pane and you might discover that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want, without having to leave him home on his own. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not good for you or your cat.
If you do have a uPVC or composite door it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These types of doors are often made with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is quite different too. Before you consider fitting an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable with insulation. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, however they can be difficult to fit an animal flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap onto the uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat can pass through the door, you'll need to determine their height. This is easiest if they are asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too much. Once you know their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This location can be marked on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you will need be extra cautious. Drilling into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install an e-cat flap on the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole to use for the cat flap, which will be less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap comes with a drawing template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, you can create one by using the thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). Once the shape has been penciled on the door, utilize your spirit level to ensure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw to cut out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly If not, ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once the hole is cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it to make sure the flap is moving smoothly. If it becomes stuck on any point, then use a file or rasp to fix this.
Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're going to cut into. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. You should be careful not to damage them in the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, which means they won't be faced with these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that is not easily removed, this can make the task.
It is always advisable to seek expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs as it is crucial to get them done right to avoid potential issues in the future. It is essential to do it right because getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've got your hole cut, put the flap on to see whether it is able to open easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, file them down with a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens without any problems. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.
Some kits include a template for this however, even if yours does not, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper against the door and mark the area where you'll will need to place the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw points that will be used to secure the flap to the door.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If the door is made of composite or GRP, it can be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it's best to hire a professional. They will also be able to inform you if the door is suitable for installing an animal flap.
If you want to install a cat flap in composite doors, you need to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you choose to complete the task yourself, remember that it can be messy and hazardous task.
You'll require an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors rather than only the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will need to take extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's also important to note that cutting a hole into any type of door glass is far more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.