Cat flaps let your cat go in and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel a cat flap in a door panel made of upvc door panel cat flap is a lot easier than a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the right tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark the shape and use the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind causing damage.
The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to keep them from moving too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location 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 the moulding or sill.
Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can begin removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the steps are adhered to.
It is much easier to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you may have to be more cautious.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a spot near the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through wall cat flap. Once you know this, you will need to mark out the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you make will be a good fit 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 crucial to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not experienced in DIY, it is best to employ an expert to do the work for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
The first thing you need to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you are worried about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
You should only remove the material required to create the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc may have a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap and in this case you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting a cat flap the cat flap onto a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house when they're feeling like it. If you've got a uPVC door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're willing to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that it is safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can purchase and install various models, from basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat can use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.
It's a good idea opt for circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if there are children or elderly people at home who might be injured by glass shards.