Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come at their own pace, without you having to let him in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of upvc door panel replacement cat flap is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut the door area. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.
The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then place it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Use a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can start removing the rest of the door material. If you own a set square then make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't tried it before. A lot of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are appropriate and the steps are adhered to.
While this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors since this could cause damage to the warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough if you are using an ordinary upvc door panels with cat flap door, but you may require extra care if you are using a composite or other kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of 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 near the door that will be within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight instead of uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it is best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also an issue 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 need to do is mark the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you require when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can get a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.
You should only remove the material that is required to make the flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than this can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.
A upvc door may have a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not touch the the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and render it watertight.
If you're installing an animal flap to a upvc door or double glazed windows with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be cheaper than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own a glass panel that is cut. If you're able to buy and install a half-glazed replacement upvc door panels cat flap panel, then it's possible to install a cat flap to the doors. It's not just a matter of cutting an opening in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that it is safe.
A composite, upvc door panel cat flap, or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in your door.
Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is better than a square because 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. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living at home who could be hurt by glass shards.