Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace without needing to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your Cat flap in Upvc Door panel from urinating inside the house.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then complete the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. 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 that you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark the area on the door where the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include drawings that show where to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge ensure you have enough space as this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can start removing the remaining door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the final result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home stable. However, putting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the instructions are adhered to.
This is much easier to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you might need to be more careful.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you have this information you'll be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a hole
Getting a cat flap cost flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A mistake could not only look ugly, but also pose an security risk. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when it is inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.
Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any necessary safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.
It is best to only remove the material required to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the door frame.
If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with walls of the flap.
If you're planning to install an animal flap to an upvc door or a double-glazed window with cat flap with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. This will be less expensive than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane that was not made specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they want to. However, if you have a uPVC door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're able to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to install an animal flap onto the doors. It's not just a matter of cutting a hole into the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have a child or elderly person in your home who could be injured by shards of glass.