Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, without you having to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

It is easier to install an animal flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some expertise and correct tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use an jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.

The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you'll need. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to enter the house and exit without having to open the door each time.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, you can place it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge ensure that you have enough space to keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to start removing the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home steady. However, putting the cat flap to your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are adhered to.

While this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors with cat flap, but you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors with cat flap as this will invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it can fit the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary upvc door panels with cat flap panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you may require more care.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you have this information you'll have to draw the area using an eraser and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to make the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.

Cut a Hole

The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is essential to only remove the material required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than that can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This is less expensive than fitting a cat flap in an existing pane that was not designed for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own glass panels that can be cut. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door usually has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.

Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install many different models, from basic button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. However, no matter what type of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (have a peek at these guys) is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if there are elderly or children in your home who might be injured by glass shards.