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 also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.
It is much easier to put a cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one, but you will require some expertise and appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but if you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then complete the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will enable you to select a flap that is big enough for your pet to enter the house and exit without needing to open the door each time.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark where on the door the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X, but some kits come with a drawing that shows where to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line 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.
Set a square to check that you are cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to start removing the remaining door material. If you own a set square then make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can start to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. Installing a cat flap fitting near me flap on your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. A lot of people will hire an expert joiner or carpenter to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are followed.
This is much simpler to accomplish on wooden doors with cat flap, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat flap in upvc door panel-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you may need to be more careful.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the height from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need locate a place near the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily into place.
Cut a Hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have an expert to complete the job for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but also a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and is flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at ready for any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.
It is important that you only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the walls of the flap.
If you are fitting cat Flap in upvc door panel a cat flap into an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and let them relax at home whenever they'd like. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install a cat flap. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole through the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to do first to make sure it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.
Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap. You can buy and fit many different models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.