Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back 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 on a door panel made of Upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, however it does require some skills and the right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door isn't easy however, as long as you choose the right type of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will demonstrate how to mark the shape and use a jigsaw in order to cut the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure the flap remains in place and also 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 let you select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the house and leave without having to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X, but some kits come with drawings that show where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat flap fitting near me safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Utilize a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When 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 let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature in check. However, putting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, leading many to hire an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the steps are followed.
This is much simpler to accomplish on doors with cat flap made of wood, however 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 and ensure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However, if your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might need to be more careful.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need locate a place on the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you know this, you will need to mark out the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Cut a Hole
It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional in to do the job for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly but also pose a security threat. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you need to work with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is important that you only remove the material needed for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc door or double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is much less expensive to have this done than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they feel like it. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly if you don't own a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement upvc door panels with cat flap panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need first to ensure that it's secure.
A composite, upvc door panels cat flap, or GRP door panel is typically composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap in upvc door panel flap itself. You can pick from a wide range of options, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting caught in the rain.
It's a good idea choose a circular Fitting cat flap in Upvc door panel rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people in your home that might be injured by glass shattering.