Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want without you having to let them in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.
It is simpler to install the cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and right tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door isn't easy but if you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without needing to open and 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 out where on the door the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include drawings that show the location 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, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Set a square to check that you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin to remove the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature stable. Installing a cat flap on your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the directions are followed.
It is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to harm the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, but you may need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the height from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need locate a place in the door where this measurement will fall 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 you know the opening will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless have a lot of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly, but also pose a security threat. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing you need to do is draw the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly positioned and that it runs parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you'll need to use the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is essential to only remove the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not come into contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you're installing an animal flap to an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame, you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to have this done than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
cat flap installer flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they like and let them relax at home whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be difficult to install the cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own glass panels that is cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of drilling an opening in the door. It is also necessary to take a few steps to ensure that it is safe.
A composite, upvc door panel replacement cat flap, or GRP door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.
It is a good idea to select circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living at home who could be injured by glass fragments.