Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat flap in upvc Door panel go in and out whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then finish the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain causing damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure the width of your pet. 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, but it is also small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, you can put it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat flap installers near me and these elements.
Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you've drawn in, but don't push the blade too hard as this can make it 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 can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature stable. The installation of a cat flap your door can be a daunting task for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are followed.
While this is much easier to do with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will cause damage to your warranty. First, you must measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough when you have an ordinary upvc cat flap door panels door, but you may need to take more care if using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a spot in the door where this measurement is within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you have this information then you be required to mark the area with an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Cut a Hole
It isn't easy to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A mistake in the process 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's position on the door with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and aligns with the door's other parts. Make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth any edges.
Wear any safety gear you need to work with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is essential to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the door frame.
A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap and in this case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done, it is essential to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're installing a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed window with cat flap with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is much less expensive to have this done than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they feel like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. This is especially true if you do not own an glass panel that is cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed upvc door panel cat flap panel, it's possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.
After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models, from basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. No matter which type of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
It's a good idea to opt for circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are children or elderly people at home who might be injured by glass fragments.