Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet move around as they please, without you needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.

It is easier to install the cat flap in upvc door panel - knight-mccormick-2.mdwrite.net noted, flap on a upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll require some expertise and correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing you how much to install a cat flap to mark out the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain causing damage.

The first step is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements, you can mark out where on the door the template should be positioned, typically this is done using an X. However, some kits include drawings that show the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge then make sure you have clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. However, putting an animal flap on your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

While this is much simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in upvc door panels with cat flap doors, but you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors as this will end your warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you may need to be more careful.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need locate a place in the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight instead of uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. It is also important 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 process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily into place.

Cut a hole

Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional in to do the job for you. A botched job could not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when it is inside.

Mark the hole position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth any edges.

Wear any safety gear you need to work with the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is quieter and more user-friendly.

You should only remove the material that is required to create the cat flap cover for winter flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.

If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with walls of the flap.

If you are fitting a cat flap into the frame of a double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It is much less expensive to have this done instead of trying to install the flap to an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is particularly true in the event that you don't own an glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not just a matter of cutting an opening in the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure that it is secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.

Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models that range from simple push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.

A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children in your home who could be hurt by glass shards.