Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, without you needing to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from peeing in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the directions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then finish the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure your pet's width. This will enable you to select a flap that is big enough to allow your pet to enter the home and exit without needing to open the door each time.
If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can place it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin removing the remaining door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the final result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them coming in with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, installing an animal flap on your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
While this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. First, you must take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat flap installer-flap. This should be simple enough for an ordinary uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area on the door that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you have the information you'll be required to mark the space using a spirit level and a pencil so you know the opening will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.
Cut a Hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional in to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing to do is mark the position of the hole in the door with an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and that it runs parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.
You should only remove the material needed to create the flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of 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 could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the walls of the flap.
If you're looking to install a cat flap inside a upvc or double-glazed window with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to a specialist. They can offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than Fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (bridgehome.Cn) a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind in the home whenever they're feeling like it. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to put in a cat flap, fitting cat flap in upvc door panel especially when you don't have glass panes that can be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure it's secure.
A composite door cat flap door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically includes a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat can use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather.
It is a good idea to opt for circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that may break and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who could be hurt by shards of glass.