Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat flap fitting from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is a lot easier than a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but so long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape and then use an jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we will finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will enable you to select a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the home and exit without needing to open the door each time.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill then you can put it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line that you've drawn in, but don't push the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. If you have a set square then use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature stable. However, fitting a cat flap in your door could be an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the instructions are followed.
While this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you must be careful not to scratch the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have a standard uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door since these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat flap installer's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need to locate a place near the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area with an eraser and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat flap installation cost.
After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than 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 using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.
Make a hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the task for you. A mistake could not only look ugly but also pose a security threat. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when it is inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.
It is essential to only remove the material required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but cutting off more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.
If the upvc door is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the walls of the flap.
If you're installing the Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel flap onto the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they want to. If you've got an uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly in the absence of glass panes that can be cut for one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not just a matter of cutting an opening in the door. You'll also have to take a few steps to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises a flimsy plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel polystyrene insulating core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door has a template you can use to cut the hole.
Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap itself. You can pick from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in the rain.
A circular fitting is better than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. It's also a much safer option as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home that could be injured by glass shattering.