Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.
It is simpler to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll require some expertise and right tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will help you draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.
The first thing you need to do is measure the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will enable you to select a flap that is big enough for your pet to walk into the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can put it on the door and then draw 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.
Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start cutting according to the lines you have pencilled in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home stable. However, putting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, which is why many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the instructions are followed.
replacement upvc door panel with cat flap is much simpler to do on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough when you have a standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have an alternative kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information, you will be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily into place.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing you have to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs in a straight line with the other parts of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is important that you only remove the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with wall of the flap.
If you're looking to install a cat flap into windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with a specialist. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want, allowing them to relax at home whenever they like. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically made up of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. However, regardless of what type of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap and not get trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or your family. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that could be injured by glass shattering.