Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
From Shiapedia
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please, without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the house.
It is much easier to put a cat flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one but you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but provided that the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
The first step is measure the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door each time, but it is also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then 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 you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw start to cut along the line you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard as this could make it cut faster than you want it to. If you have an already-cut square, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the steps are adhered to.
This is much simpler to do with doors made of wood, however it is still possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. First, you must measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might require more care.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.
Cut a hole
It can be difficult to fit a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to do the work for you. A botched job could not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any necessary safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.
It is crucial to only cut away the material required to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the door frame.
A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap double glazing flap if this is the case, you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap in Upvc door panel flap into a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap in it. It will be much cheaper to have this done than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own a glass panel that is cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not as easy as simply making a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's safe.
A composite door cat flap, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically includes a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap itself. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting a cat flap is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who may be injured by shards glass.
