Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet come and go at their own pace without you having to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.
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.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you use the correct type of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap installers near me flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to keep the pet from straying too far either way.
Once you have the measurements, you can determine the location on the door where the template should be positioned, typically this is done using an X. However, some kits include 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 a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat flap in upvc door panel and the moulding or sill.
Then put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line that you've drawn in, don't try to press the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are happy with the result, you are able to take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. However, fitting an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many to hire an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the instructions are adhered to.
While this is far simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, though you must be cautious not to damage the doors since this could end the warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using an alternative type of door as these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need find a spot on the door that will be within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a hole
The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the job for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing you need to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is placed and runs in a straight line with the other parts of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.
It is crucial to only cut away the material required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than that can cause problems or damage the doors frame.
If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.
If you're installing an animal flap to the frame of a double-glazed window with cat flap with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be cheaper than fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable at home whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be hard to install a cat flap. This is particularly true in the event that you don't own glass panels that is cut. If you're able to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add a cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's secure.
A composite, upvc door panel cat flap or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically has a template that you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in your door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can choose from a wide range of options, from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and cause harm to your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.