Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your pet move around at their own pace, without you needing to let him in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will require some expertise and right tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be a problem. We will show you how to draw the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then finish off the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.
The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap fitters near me flap you will need. This will let you select a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to walk into the house and exit without having to open the door every time.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then stick it on the door, and then draw a pencil 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 check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. Use a set square to ensure you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature stable. The installation of a cat flap in upvc Door panel flap your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the work. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
While this is far simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in upvc door panel cat flap doors, but you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors as this will invalidate the warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult for a standard uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if you have an alternative kind of door, as they 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 between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area with pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Cut a Hole
It isn't easy to fit an animal flap on the door panel or double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless have a lot of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional in to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but it could also be a security risk as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat flap step is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is important that you only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the cat flap bifold doors flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're installing an animal flap to an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It will be much cheaper to have this done than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be hard to install the cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own an glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to install a cat flap installers near me flap to these doors. It's not a matter of slicing holes in the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure that it is safe.
A composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can choose from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat can use the flap without getting caught 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 they are drilled. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly important if you have a child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards glass.