Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come as they please without having to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then finish off the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain causing damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to keep them from going too far either way.
Once you have the measurements, you can determine the area on the door where the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X, however some kits come with an illustration that outlines the location to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin to cut according to the lines you penciled in. Don't press the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. The installation of a cat flap your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the directions are adhered to.
This is much simpler to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to harm the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough for a standard uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if you have a composite or other type of door since these are 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 between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the hole will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've cut the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is located and is flush with all the other parts of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on hand for any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material required to fit the cat flap double glazing flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the door frame.
If the upvc door panel with cat flap door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.
If you're installing an animal flap to the frame of a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. This will be less expensive than trying to fit the flap into an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Install 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 like. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to install the cat flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of slicing a hole into the door. You'll also have to perform a few steps to ensure it's safe.
A composite, upvc door panel with cat flap or GRP door panel is typically made up of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door usually includes a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install various models that range from simple push-button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. However, no matter what type of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is 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, which could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people in your home that could be injured by glass fragments.