Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
From Shiapedia
Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the house.
It is simpler to install the window cat flap flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one, but you will need some skills and the right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult however, so long as the cat Flap in upvc Door panel flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how much to install a cat flap to draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we will finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.
The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you will need. This will let you select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the home and exit without having to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits include drawings that show where to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Utilize a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can start removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. Installing a cat flap on your door might seem difficult to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the instructions are adhered to.
It is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it is able to fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might need to be more careful.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily into place.
Cut a hole
It can be difficult to put an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly, but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth any edges.
Wear the safety equipment you require when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is crucial to only remove the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than that can cause problems or damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you are fitting a cat flap in a upvc door a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It will be much cheaper to do this instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they want to. However, if you own a uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to install the cat flap installers flap to the doors. It's not as simple as simply making a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically made up of an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in your door.
After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. However, no matter what type of cat flap you pick, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have child or elderly person in your home who could be injured by shards of glass.
