Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom inside the house. Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools. Take a measurement of the door Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then finish off the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage. The first step is measure the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you will need. This will let you choose a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to enter the house and leave without having to open the door every time. If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then put it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements. Put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting according to the lines you've drawn in, but don't press the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. If you have a square that you have cut, make use of it to verify that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle. Once cat flap fitters 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 out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. Fitting a cat flap to your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the work. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care. This is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you need to measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough for an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if using a composite or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels. The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a spot in the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you know the hole will be suitable for your cat. Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place. Cut a Hole Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not proficient in DIY, it is recommended to hire a professional to do the work for you. A mistake could not only look ugly but also pose a security threat. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when it is inside. Mark the hole's position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready for any rough edges. Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety gear for working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier. It is best to only remove the material that is required to fit the flap. It is important to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door. If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap. If you're looking to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is cheaper to do this instead of trying to install the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose. Fit the Flap Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they want to. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole in the door, however there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's safe. A composite door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically has a template which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in your door. After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to microchip activated ones that only let your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting caught in bad weather. A circular fitting is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home who could be hurt by glass fragments.