Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be a problem. We will be showing you how much to install a cat flap to mark out the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first step is measure the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, then place it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge ensure you have clearance from these because this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting along the line you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. However, putting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.
Although this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors as this will end the warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will accommodate the new cat flap in upvc door panel, click through the following website page, flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might need to be more careful.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a place on the door where this measurement is within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information then you be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready 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 smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.
Make a hole
It can be difficult to install an animal flap on the door panel or double glazing unit. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly, but also pose a security threat. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when the cat is inside.
The first thing you have to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs in a straight line with the other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is best to only remove the material that is required to make the flap. It is important to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to 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 will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.
If you're installing the cat flaps for french doors flap onto the frame of a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It is much less expensive to get this done rather instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you own a uPVC door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to add an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually has a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in the door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in bad weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and cause harm to your pet or family. This is especially important if there are elderly or children at home who could be injured by glass shattering.