Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, without you needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is a lot easier than a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy but if you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be a problem. We will show how to trace the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then finish off the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to go into the house and leave without having to open the door every time.
If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill, then stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. Installing a cat flap on your door might seem difficult to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the work. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.
It is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it can fit the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have the standard uPVC door, however you may require more care if using an alternative kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat flaps for french doors. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have this information, you will be required to mark the area using pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you have 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 into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A mistake in the process may not just be ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready for any rough edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.
You should only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be required for the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or damage the doors frame.
A upvc door may have a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case, you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you want to install a cat flap into a upvc or double-glazed window with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to an expert. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather instead of trying to install the flap to an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially true in the event that you don't own a glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to add an animal flap onto the doors. It's not a simple matter of cutting holes in the door. You'll also have to do a few things to ensure that it is safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type door has a template you can use to make the hole.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models including basic push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular Fitting cat Flap In upvc door Panel is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have a child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards of glass.