Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
cat flap glass door installation near me flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from peeing in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will allow you to select a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the house and leave without having to open the door every time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, then stick it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you have a set square then use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. Fitting a cat flap installers flap to your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the instructions are adhered to.
Although this is much easier to do when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors, but you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you might have to be more cautious.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area on the door that will allow your pet to move through wall cat flap easily. Once you've got the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional to do the task for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on the ready for any rough edges.
Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is crucial to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems or damage the doors frame.
If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.
If you are fitting an animal flap to a upvc door fitting cat flap in Upvc Door panel or double glazing cat flap glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It is much less expensive to do this than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for the purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they feel like it. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut for one. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's secure.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door usually includes a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that only let your pet in. However, no matter what type of cat flap you pick, it's crucial to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.
A circular Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and cause harm to your pet or family. This is especially important if you have child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards of glass.