Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much easier than in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
The first thing to do is determine the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark the location on the door where the template should be placed. typically this is done using an X. However, some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw start cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. Use a set square to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. The installation of a cat flap cost near me flap your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire 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.
This is much easier to do on wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough if you are using a standard uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your Cat flap in Upvc door panel. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you have the information, you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to make the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily into place.
Cut a Hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is in a straight line with other parts of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth any edges.
Wear any safety gear you require when working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.
You should only remove the material needed to fit the flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
A upvc door panels cat flap door may contain a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they want to. If you've got an uPVC door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're able to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not a matter of drilling an opening in the door. It is also necessary to take a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually includes a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.
After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models including basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting caught in the rain.
It's a good idea to opt for 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 they're drilled. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have children or elderly people in your home that could be injured by glass fragments.