Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from peeing in the house.
It is much easier to put a cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will need some skills and the right tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish off the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.
The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will enable you to select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the home and exit without having to open the door each time.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, you can stick it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Use a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin removing the rest of the door material. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows 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 inside your home in a stable manner. However, fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (this content) an animal flap on your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are appropriate and the steps are adhered to.
It is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to fit the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary upvc door panel with cat flap panel it's easy. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might have to be more cautious.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a spot near the door that will be within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have the information, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is important that you 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 while working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.
Cut a hole
Installing a cat flap install flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire an expert to complete the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.
The first thing you have to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs in a straight line with the other parts of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on ready to smooth any edges.
After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is important that you only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the the flap, but cutting off more than this can cause problems or damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap and in this case you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap, if this is done, it is essential to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're looking to install a cat flap into windows made of double-glazed or upvc door panels with cat flap with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to a specialist. They can offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they feel like it. If you have a 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 are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install the cat flap. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door has a template you can use to cut the hole.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap itself. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models, from basic push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.
It's a good idea to select a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have young or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.