Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc door panel with cat flap fitted panel than on a glass one but you'll require some expertise and right tools.
Take a look at the Door
Fitting cat Flap in upvc door panel a cat flap in 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 directions provided, it shouldn't be a problem. We will show you how to draw the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then complete the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first step is determine the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but it is also small enough to prevent the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, then place it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it then make sure you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, but don't push the blade too hard as this could make it cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with the shape, you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home steady. Installing a cat flap on your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the work. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the instructions are followed.
Although this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you must be cautious not to damage the doors since this could cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough for the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using a composite door cat flap or other type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area on the door that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you have the information, you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.
Make a hole
It isn't easy to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional in to do the job for you. A botched job may not only be unsightly but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat flap fitting is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
Mark the hole position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you require when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is essential to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the door frame.
A door made of upvc door panel with cat flap fitted may contain a metal frame or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're planning to install the cat flap onto a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap in it. This will be less expensive than fitting the flap into an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you've got an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that can be cut for one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add the cat flap. It's not a matter of drilling holes in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that the door is safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a wide range of options, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting caught in the rain.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass cat flap installation near me. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is especially important if there are children or elderly people in your home who could be injured by glass fragments.