Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.
Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will help you mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain causing damage.
The first thing you need to do is measure the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will let you choose a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to walk into the house and leave without having to open the door each time.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, then stick it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom of it ensure you have enough space to ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Put on your eye protection and dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin to cut along the line you've drawn in. Don't press the blade too hard, as this will make it cut faster than you'd like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When cat flap installation cost near me are happy with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. However, putting an animal flap on your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, which is why many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
While this is far simpler with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will end the warranty. First, you must measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using a standard uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a spot on the door that will be within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you know this, you will need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily into place.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience with DIY, it's probably best to get a professional to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is located and is flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.
Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is important that you only remove the material required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap but cutting off more than this can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.
A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't come into contact with 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 the frame of a double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It is much less expensive to have this done instead of trying to install the flap to an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is particularly true in the event that you don't own glass panels that is cut. If you're able to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole through the door though and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap. You can choose from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is especially crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who could be hurt by glass shattering.