Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come as they please without you needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
It is easier to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will be showing how to trace the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then finish off the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and shields 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 ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far either way.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, then place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat flap Bifold doors (https://articlescad.com/fitting-a-cat-Flap-302756.html) and these elements.
Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
While this is far easier to do when using a timber door it is still feasible in uPVC doors, though you must be careful not to scratch the doors as this will end your warranty. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you may require more care.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need find a place on the door where this measurement is within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
It can be difficult to install a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. If you're not experienced in DIY, it's best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but it could also be a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at hand for any rough edges.
After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.
It is crucial to only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than this can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.
If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.
If you're looking to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal, you'll need to consult an expert. They can provide you with a new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the house when they like. If you've got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap fitters flap, particularly when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of slicing an opening in the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically composed of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically includes a template which 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 install the flap. You can purchase and install various models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
It is a good idea to select circular fittings instead of one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living in your home that might be injured by glass shattering.