Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet come and go whenever they want without needing to let him in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door isn't easy however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure the width of your pet. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to go into the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X. However, some kits come with an illustration that outlines where to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom of it then make sure you have clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Utilize a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you are able to start removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When 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 out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature of your home stable. However, putting an animal flap on your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
It is much easier to do with a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you might require more care.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you have this information then you have to draw the area using an eraser and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not skilled in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the work for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is located and is in a straight line with other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is best to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.
If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the walls of the flap.
If you want to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They can provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially true if you do not own a glass panel that can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not just a matter of drilling an opening in the door. You'll also have to take a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically made up of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
After cat flap installation cost near me 've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models including basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that only let in your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in bad weather.
It's a good idea select a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.