Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet come and go as they please without you having to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.
It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll need some skills and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut out the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to prevent the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, then place it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge then make sure you have clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line you penciled in, but don't press the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you have an already-cut square, use it to ensure that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, 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 go inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature stable. Fitting a cat flap step (home-page) flap to your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.
It is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you may have to be more cautious.
Next, you will need 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 locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area with pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.
Make a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A botched job may not only be unsightly but it could also be an issue for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs in a straight line with the other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any necessary safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you are worried about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
If the upvc door is made of metal, or has a frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the flap.
If you want to install a cat flap into windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal, you'll need to consult a specialist. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix a cat flap installation cost flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come as they please, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they want to. However, if you own an uPVC door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly if you don't own a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed upvc door panel with cat flap panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto the doors. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also have to perform a few steps to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. It is crucial to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install many different models including basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. Whatever type of cat flap cover for winter flap you pick it's essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are children or elderly people at home who could be injured by glass shards.