Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come whenever they want, without you needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from peeing in the house.

Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but if you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.

The first step is determine the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will allow you to select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door each time.

If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, then stick it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom of it then make sure you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Utilize a set square to make sure you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin removing the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that 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 is a great method to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. However, installing an animal flap on your door could be an intimidating task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are appropriate and the instructions are adhered to.

While this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. First, you need to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if you have a composite or other kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to locate a place near the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are sure that the opening will fit your cat flap in upvc door cost.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a Hole

It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless have a lot of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat flap cover for winter is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and more user-friendly.

You should only remove the material required to create the flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.

A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap in this case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazed window with a metal frame, you will need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is much less expensive to have this done than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have an glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through 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 is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in the door.

Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can pick from a variety of options, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in the rain.

A circular Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who could be injured by glass shattering.