Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
From Shiapedia
cat flap installers flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, without you needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
It is much easier to put an animal flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll need some skills and the correct tools.
Measure the Door
fitting a cat flap in a upvc door a cat flap in the door can be a challenge but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the cat 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 to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will require. This will allow you to select a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the home and exit without needing to open the door every time.
If your kit has an illustration of where to drill then you can put it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Use a set square to check that you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can begin removing the rest of the door material. If you have a square that you have cut, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature in check. However, fitting the cat flap to your door could be an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many to hire an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
It is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However in the case of 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 amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat flap in bifold doors's stomach. It is important to find an area at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you are sure that the opening will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.
Make a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.
The first thing to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is placed and runs parallel to the other components of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is crucial to only remove the material needed to make the cat flap in upvc door panel flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap but removing more than that could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame, you will need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to have this done instead of trying to install the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they want to. However, if you own a uPVC door it can be difficult to install an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install the cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door, however there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically composed of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.
Once you've marked the opening in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can pick from a range of options, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat flap glass door installation near me is able to use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.
It's a good idea to choose circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is especially important if you have young or elderly person in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.
