Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please, without you having to let him in or out. They also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

It is simpler to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will require some expertise and correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will help you draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.

The first step is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and leave without having to open the door every time.

If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill, you can place it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you penciled in. Don't press the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home steady. However, installing the cat flap to your door could be an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are appropriate and the steps are followed.

This is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it will accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have an ordinary uPVC door, however you may require more care if using an alternative type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat's stomach. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a place near the door that will be within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you know the opening will fit your cat.

After window cat flap 've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.

Cut a Hole

Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless have a lot of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but also an enigma for security and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly positioned and that it runs flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you require when working with the power tool. If you are worried about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is crucial to only cut away the material needed for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap but removing more than that can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap, if this is done, it is important to fill in the gap and seal it with water.

If you're installing a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed window with a metal frame, you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is much less expensive to have this done than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have an glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install the cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door though and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's safe.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door has a template you can use to make the hole.

After you have marked out the opening in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a variety of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting caught in the rain.

It is a good idea to select circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is especially important if you have child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.
window cat flap