Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be a problem. We will show you how to draw the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then finish off the job by attaching 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.
The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door every time, but it is also small enough to stop them from going too far either way.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out the area on the door where the template should be placed. typically this is done using an X, but some kits include an illustration that outlines the location to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.
Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line that you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you have an already-cut square, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the work. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
Although this is much easier to do with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you must be cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it can fit the new cat flap installers near me flap. This isn't too difficult if you are using the standard uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area with a pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not skilled in DIY, it is best to employ an expert to do the work for you. A botched job could not only look ugly but also pose an security risk. It could allow cold air in when the Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel is outdoors and hot air to escape when it is inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.
It is essential to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but cutting off more than this could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be cheaper than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the house when they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be hard to install the cat flap. This is particularly true in the event that you don't own a glass panel which can be cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not as simple as cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need first to ensure that it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally made up of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door has a template you can use to make the hole.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a much safer option to use 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 particularly crucial if you have elderly or children in your home who could be hurt by glass shards.