Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from peeing 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 knowledge and appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then finish the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and shields the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.
The first step is determine the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far either way.
If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can stick it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Utilize a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can start removing the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet out and in without worrying about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature stable. However, fitting an animal flap on your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care.
This is much simpler to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough if you are using a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if you have an alternative type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's stomach. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need find a place near the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the 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 your cat flap will fit easily into place.
Make a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. fitting cat flap in upvc door panel might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have a lot of experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once 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 to have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
You should only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the door frame.
A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case, you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This is less expensive than trying to install a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they want to. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into your door.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can purchase and install various models including basic push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.
It is a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a safer choice to use since you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.