Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a upvc door panel cat flap panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some expertise and correct tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat flap on the door can be a challenge but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will be showing how much to install a cat flap to trace 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 stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause 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 large enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then place it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these to keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, putting the cat flap cover for winter flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
This is much easier to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough for an ordinary uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other 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 belly for your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to move through wall cat flap easily. Once you have this information then you need to mark out the area using an eraser and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is crucial to be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a Hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you're not skilled in DIY, it is best to employ an expert to do the job for you. A mistake could not only be ugly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs in a straight line with the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is important that you only cut away the material needed to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap but cutting off more than this can cause problems or damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc may have a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not touch the the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.
If you're installing an animal flap to an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap in it. This is less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane that was not made specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and let them relax at home whenever they like. If you've got an uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as easy as making a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in your door.
After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a variety of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have a child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.