Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat go in and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap installer flap inside the door can be a challenge however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap double glazing flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
The first step is measure the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will enable you to select a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and exit without having to open the door every time.
If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you have pencilled in. Don't push the blade too hard because this will make it cut faster than you would like it to. If you own an already-cut square, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can start to remove the remaining 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 to keep the temperature in your home stable. Fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the steps are followed.
This is much simpler to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors with cat flap since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult if you are using the standard uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if using an alternative type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid upvc door panel with cat flap fitted panels.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you know this then you need to mark out the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat flap installation near me.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean rather than uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.
Cut a hole
It isn't easy to fit a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A mistake could not only be ugly, but also pose security risks. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and aligns with the door's other parts. It is important to have an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is best to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.
If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.
If you're looking to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than fitting a cat flap in an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they want to. However, if you own a uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as simple as cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally made up of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in your door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap. You can pick from a wide range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.
It's a good idea to select a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drilling is applied to it. 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 family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living at home who could be injured by glass shards.