Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.
Installing a cat flap into a upvc door panel is a lot easier than glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure your pet's width. This will allow you to select a flap that is big enough for your pet to enter the house and leave without having to open the door each time.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out the area on the door where the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you have an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home stable. However, installing a cat flap in your door could be an overwhelming 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. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
While this is much simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could end your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it can accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you might have to be more cautious.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the height from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to locate a place on the door where this measurement is within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you will create will fit your cat flap installer near me.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for 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 in place.
Make a hole
It can be difficult to put an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to complete the job for you. A botched job could not only be ugly, but also pose security risks. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when it is inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you'll need to use an electric tool. If you are worried about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is best to only remove the material that is required to make the flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the gap and render it watertight.
If you're planning to install a cat flap inside a double-glazed or upvc window with metal frames it is necessary to speak with an expert. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap install flap. It will be much cheaper to have this done instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they like. If you have a upvc door panel cat flap front door, it might be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have a glass panel that can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit an animal flap onto the doors. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide to cut 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. You can pick from a range of designs, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting caught in bad weather.
A circular Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living in your home who could be hurt by glass shards.