Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your pet move around whenever they want, without you needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than glass doors, however it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish off the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and shields the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.
The first thing you need to do is measure the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far either way.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door, and then draw 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.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. repairmywindowsanddoors reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature of your home stable. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the steps are followed.
While this is much simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you should be cautious not to damage the doors as this will invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough for an ordinary uPVC door, but 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 height of your cat's stomach. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a place near the door that will be within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you know this you'll need to mark out the area using an eraser and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous 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 inserted.
Cut a hole
It can be a challenge to put the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A mistake could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you need to work with a power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.
It is crucial to only cut away the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than that 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 may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.
If you are fitting a cat flap into the frame of a double-glazed window 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 already drilled in it. This is less expensive than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and let them relax in the home whenever they like. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not a simple matter of drilling a hole into the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather.
It's a good idea opt for circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make glass more 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, which could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is especially crucial if you have a young or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.