Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from peeing in the home.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much easier than in a glass door, however it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.
Take a look at the Door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the directions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will allow you to select a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements, you can determine the area on the door where the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X. However, some kits include an illustration that outlines where to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can start removing the rest of the door material. If you own a set square then use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with the shape, you can start to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature in your home steady. The installation of a cat flap your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. A lot of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.
Although this is much simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to fit the new cat flap. This should be simple enough when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if using an alternative type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area on the door that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information you'll have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it is time to make the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap installers flap will fit easily.
Cut a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A botched job could not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when it is inside.
The first thing you need to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is flush with all the other parts of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
You should only remove the material needed to make the flap. It is important to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc may include 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 wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame, 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 premade in it. This will be less expensive than trying to fit a cat flaps for french doors flap in an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have an glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install a cat flap. It's not just a matter of slicing an opening in the door. It is also necessary to take a few steps to ensure that the door is safe.
A composite door cat flap, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that only let your pet in. However, no matter what type of cat flap in upvc door panel flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is better than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer option since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.