Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat flap installer from urinating inside the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will help you mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the back door with cat flap fitted every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, then put it on the door, and then use 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.
Set a square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people will call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the instructions are followed.
It is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it will fit the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using an alternative type of door since these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area with an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you're not experienced in DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to do the job for you. A botched job could not only be ugly and unattractive, but could also be security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when it is inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs flush with all the other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you need to work with an electric tool. If you are worried about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you are fitting the cat flap installer flap onto a upvc door or double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap in upvc door panel (Bioimagingcore official) flap already drilled inside. It will be much cheaper to have this done than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they like. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install the cat flap. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This kind door has a template you can use to cut the hole.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models, from basic push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who could be hurt by shards of glass.