Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come at their own pace, without you needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll need some skills and the right tools.
Take a look at the Door
Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy but if you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you mark the shape and use the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure the flap is in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.
The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X, however some kits include a drawing that shows the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom of it ensure you have clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin removing the rest of the door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap fitters flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. Installing a cat flap on your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people will call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the steps are adhered to.
While this is far easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can invalidate the warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you might have to be more cautious.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area on the door fitting cat flap in upvc door panel that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you know this, you will have to draw the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you create will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily into place.
Cut a Hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to complete the work for you. A botched job 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 to escape when it is inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand for any rough edges.
After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety gear for working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is important that you only cut away the material that is 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 can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they're feeling like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own an glass cat flap installation near me panel that is cut. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a new half-glazed upvc door panel replacement cat flap panel, then it's possible to add the cat flap to the doors. It's not just a matter of cutting holes in the door. It is also necessary to take a few steps to ensure that the door is secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in bad weather.
A circular Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly important if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who could be injured by shards glass.