Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet come and go whenever they want, without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the house.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some knowledge and right tools.
Take a look at the Door
fitting cat flap in upvc Door panel a cat flap in the door isn't easy but as long as you select the right kind of cat flap in upvc door panel flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits come with drawings that show where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure you have clearance from these because this will ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Use a set square to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. If you own a square that you have cut, make use of it to verify that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is a good rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can start to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, fitting a cat flap in your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the directions are followed.
While this is far simpler when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could cause damage to your warranty. First, you must take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you may need to be more careful.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a place in the door that will be within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk 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 opening will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get a professional to do the job for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but also an enigma 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's position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you require when working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.
It is crucial to only cut away the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than that could cause issues and damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't touch the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you're looking to install a cat flap into a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to do this than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they want to. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap installer flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as making a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.
A composite door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door has a template you can use to cut the hole.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install various models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. Whatever kind of cat flap in upvc door panel flaps you select it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who could be hurt by glass fragments.