Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door isn't easy however, as long as you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut the door area. Then we will finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.
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'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to keep them from moving too far either way.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then put it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge ensure you have enough space as this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Utilize a set square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. If you have a set square then make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap fitting near me flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature of your home stable. fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap to your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call a professional carpenter or joiner to do 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.
This is much simpler to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors since this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you must take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you might require more care.
Next, you will need 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 in the door where this measurement is within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information, you'll have to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily into place.
Cut a Hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you are not very proficient in DIY, it's best to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.
Mark the hole position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.
After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is crucial to only cut away the material required to fit the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with wall of the flap.
If you're installing an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap double glazing flap premade inside. It is much less expensive to do this than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house when they're feeling like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially true in the event that you don't own glass panels that can be cut. If you're willing to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, replacement upvc door panel with cat flap, or GRP door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually has a template which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit various models including basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have a child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards of glass.