Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how much to install a cat flap to trace the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and also protects the doors with cat flap from 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 cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and exit without needing to open the door each time.
Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X, however some kits come with an illustration that outlines where to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge then make sure you have enough clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Set a square to make sure you are cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. However, putting the cat flap to your door could be an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, which is why many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are appropriate and the instructions are followed.
Although this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors since this could cause damage to the warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap in bifold doors flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might have to be more cautious.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information then you need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust 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 is easily fitted into place.
Cut a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience with DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but also an issue for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and runs flush with the rest of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand for any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you require when working with the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is essential to only cut away the material needed to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than that could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're looking to install a cat flap into a upvc or double glazing cat flap-glazed window with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to an expert. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want and let them relax in the house when they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have an glass panel which can be cut. If you're able to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not a matter of cutting holes in the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure that the door is secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally made up of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This kind door has a template you can use to make the hole.
Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a range of options, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
It's fitting a cat flap in a upvc door good idea choose circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are children or elderly people in your home who could be injured by glass shards.