Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.

It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc panel than on a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door can be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the directions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then finish the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind causing damage.

The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap glass door installation near me flap you'll require. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door every time.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, you can stick it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure that you have enough clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting according to the lines you have pencilled in. Don't press the blade too hard, as this could make it cut faster than you want it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap installation in glass doors near me flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home stable. However, fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (read the article) the cat flap to your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the steps are followed.

While this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can cause damage to the warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it is able to fit the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you may need to be more careful.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the distance between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.

Make a hole

It isn't easy to fit the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have experience in DIY it is probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A faulty job can not only be unsightly but also pose security risks. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when the cat is inside.

The first thing you have to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to the other components of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on ready for any rough edges.

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is best to only remove the material that is required to create the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.

A upvc door may contain a metal frame or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you want to install a cat flap into a upvc or double-glazed window cat flap with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to an expert. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already made for the cat flap installation flap. This will be cheaper than trying to fit a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet move around at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they feel like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have an glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not a simple matter of cutting an opening in the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure it's secure.

A composite door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door typically has a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into your door.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models, from basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in the rain.

A circular fitting a cat flap is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who could be injured by shards glass.