Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
From Shiapedia
Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come as they please without you needing to let him in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat flap on a door can be tricky however, as long as you choose the right type of cat flap be patient and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will demonstrate how to mark the shape and use a jigsaw in order to cut the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
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 walk into the home and exit without having to open the door each time.
If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, then put it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Set a square to check that you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. Use a set square to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you are able to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without worrying about them coming in with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. The installation of a cat flap your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
This is much easier to do with doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it can fit the new cat flap. This should be simple enough when you have the standard uPVC door, however you may require extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door since these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a place on the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have this information then you need to mark out the area with an eraser and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you create will fit your cat flap cover for winter.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is crucial to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A faulty job can not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors 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 that it is properly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use 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 best to only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
If the upvc back door with cat flap fitted is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with wall of the flap.
If you are fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be less expensive than trying to install a cat flap installer flap inside an existing pane that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable at home whenever they'd like. However, if you have an uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially if you don't own a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to buy and install a half-glazed replacement upvc door panel with cat flap uPVC panel then it is possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling an opening in the door. You'll also have to do a few things to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in the door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet. No matter which type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat flap installation can use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.
It is a good idea to choose a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home that could be hurt by glass fragments.
