Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please without having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.

It is simpler to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark the shape and use the jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to keep the pet from straying too far either way.

If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can stick it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Set a square to check that you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin removing the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. However, putting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

This is much simpler to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you must take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you may have to be more cautious.

The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit level and a pencil so you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.

Cut a Hole

The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but it could also be an issue for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you require when working with an electric tool. If cat flap in bifold doors are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is quieter and simpler to use.

You should only remove the material required to create the flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.

If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the flap.

If you're looking to install a cat flap into a double-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have glass panels that is cut. If you're able to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to install the cat flap to the doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling holes in the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that the door is safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.

After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install various models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck in the rain.

It's a good idea to select circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles are more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who might be injured by glass shards.
cat flap in bifold doors