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 keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom inside the house.
Installing a cat flap in upvc door panel flap into the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat flap on 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 shouldn't be a problem. We will show you how much to install a cat flap to draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the doors with cat flap from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure your pet's width. This will enable you to select a flap that is big enough for your pet to enter the house and leave without needing 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 a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Set a square to make sure you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin removing the rest of the door material. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home steady. However, installing a cat flap in your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
While this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still feasible in upvc door panel with cat flap doors, but you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will end the warranty. First, you must examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough for an ordinary uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an alternative type of door since these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area at the entrance that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but it could also be 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 with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is best to only remove the material needed to create the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.
If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.
If you want to install a cat flap in a double-glazed or upvc window with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the house when they like. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially true in the event that you don't own a glass panel that can be cut. If you're able to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to add an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as simple as just making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically made up of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type door has a template you can use to make the hole.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you select, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.
It's a good idea to opt for 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 are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and cause harm to your pet or your family members. This is particularly important if there are children or elderly people at home who could be hurt by glass shards.