Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet come and go as they please, without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the home. It is simpler to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll need some skills and the correct tools. Take a look at the Door Installing a cat flap on a door can be tricky however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will help you draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut out the door area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage. To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure the width of your pet. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to go into the home and exit without needing to open the door each time. Once you have the measurements, you can mark the area on the door where the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X, but some kits come with a drawing that shows where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it then make sure you have enough space because this will ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home. Use a set square to make sure you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you are able to start removing the remaining door material. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can remove the remaining door material. Draw a Line The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature in your home stable. However, installing an animal flap on your door could be an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, which is why many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care. This is much simpler to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using an alternative kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut 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 underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area using pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you create will fit your cat. After you have marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you've finished the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily. Make a hole Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you're not proficient in DIY, it is best to hire a professional to do the work for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside. Mark the hole's position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. It is important to have an sandpaper piece on ready to smooth out any rough edges. Wear any safety equipment you require when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier. You should only remove the material needed to make the flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the frame of the door. A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not touch the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water. If you're planning to install the cat flap onto the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap premade inside. This is less expensive than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not designed for this purpose. Place the Flap Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and let them relax in the house when they want to. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not as easy as just making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's secure. A composite door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door usually has a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door. After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk can choose from a variety of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather. A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer option since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass which could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is particularly important if there are children or elderly people at home who might be injured by glass shards.