Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
The freedom to let your cat move around the house as it pleases is an excellent way to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it needs to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go at their own pace, without opening the door for them. This makes it ideal to keep them inside when you're home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of your home too!
It is essential to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap as there are a variety of sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size that fits inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or large, and your cat may have trouble using it.
Before you do anything, though, take a ruler and measure the width of the door in a variety of places along its edge. You should also take measurements of the height of the door in a few spots. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do an acrobatics routine each time it uses the flap.
Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flap insulation flaps and advise you on what size flap to purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw out the shape of the hole on the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will stop you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the long run!
Make sure to put holes in the right location. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap on a patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.
It is best to delegate the task of installing a cat flap on the glass door to an experienced glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to come and go whenever they like without having to leave them to themselves. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat or you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your upvc door panel with cat flap or composite door, make sure that it's compatible, and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may cause the warranty to be invalidated.
They are designed to be durable and tough with insulation. They are more resistant to the elements than other kinds of door, but it isn't always easy to install an animal flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on the replacement upvc door panel with cat flap door or composite.
To ensure that your cat is able to get through the door, you'll need to determine their height. It's easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they don't move around. Once you have their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the position of the flap's bottom. You can then mark this spot on the door.
When using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you have to be careful. The process of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage an expert glazier to install your cat flap inside a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from breaking and becoming brittle. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap will come with a drawing template that you can use to mark the spot on your door where the hole needs to go. If it isn't, you can create one by using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, you can then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the opening, and it will not open or close.
Next, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly, if not ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and then open it to ensure that the flap moves easily. If it binds on any point, then use a file or rasp to fix this.
Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're going to cut into. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them in the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap themselves will have an ordinary solid uPVC door, and therefore won't have to deal with any of these problems. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative piece that cannot be removed, this will complicate the job.
For these types of jobs, it's worth getting expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting a cat flap in a upvc door (http://planforexams.com/) expert. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. It is essential to get it right as doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
After you've made your hole cut, put the flap in place to see if it fits and opens easily. If you spot any areas that catch or stick or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper, to file them down until they are able to fit and can be opened without issue. Make sure that the flap is flush window with cat flap the door.
If your tool doesn't have a template, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw an area on which you'll will need to place the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark out four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screw points you'll use to fit it in the correct position.
Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite material, this may be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it is best to hire a professional. They can also advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
It is possible to install a cat flap into composite doors, but it is important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so because any changes to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.
You'll require a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors, rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this can be very dangerous and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself, as it is extremely fragile. It's important to remember that it's more difficult to cut holes in door glass than it is for a replacement upvc door panels with cat flap door or solid wood door.