Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
Allowing your cat to move around the house as it pleases is a great way to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. Having a flap can also help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it needs to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want without you having to open the door. This makes it perfect for keeping them in the home when you're away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!
It is important to measure the door to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are many sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the right size for the door you have. Otherwise, it may be too large or small and your cat might be unable to use it.
Use a ruler to measure the width at several locations along the edge of the door. You should also determine the door's height in fitting a cat flap in a Upvc door few spots. This is because doors that are too high can cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They'll be able to determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap to purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the outline of the hole on the door. This will give you a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making an error that will cost you money in the end!
Make sure you make the hole in the correct location. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap on the patio door, it's important that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
It is best to leave the job of installing the cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You might also discover that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you needing to leave him on his own. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat as well as you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install the cat flap. These kinds of doors are often made from different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different, too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible prior to installing a cat flaps for french doors flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may invalidate warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are built to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, however they can be a challenge to insert a cat flap into. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to beginning.
To ensure that your cat is able to access the door, you'll have to take a measurement of their height. This will be easiest when they're asleep or calm, so that they aren't moving around too often. Once you've established their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. Then, you can mark this spot on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you have to be careful. Cutting into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is composed of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire a glass installer when installing a cat flap in the pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat flap cost to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't however, you can make one yourself with a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can make one yourself using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape has been drawn on the door, utilize your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the door, and it won't slide open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Use a blade that is specifically designed for uPVC door use. It will typically be labeled with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole drilled and the flap section is in place, put it against it and push it out to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds on any points then you can use a file or a sandpaper to correct this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes inside the door you'll be cutting into because they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are in the door, which have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items while cutting.
Most people who fit a cat flap themselves will have a standard solid uPVC door, and therefore won't have to deal with any of these problems. However, if your door is made of wood or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, it will increase the difficulty of the job.
It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs since it is crucial to get them right to avoid any potential problems in the future. It is important to do it right because doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, place the flap to check whether it opens and is able to fit. If you find any points that stick or catch or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit properly and open without any problems. Be sure that the flap is aligned with the door.
If your kit doesn't have an example, you could use tracing paper that is thin, such as a piece of paper or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to show where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to fix the flap in place.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then it can be more challenging. If you're not comfortable with this, it's recommended to consult an expert. They can also tell you if your door is suitable to install the cat flap insulation flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is essential to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to the doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be messy and may even be hazardous.
With composite doors, you'll generally need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself since it's extremely fragile. It is important to note that it is much more difficult to cut the door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.