Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from peeing in the house.

It is easier to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and right tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape and then use a jigsaw in order to cut the door area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to stop them from going too far either way.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then you can place it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin to cut along the line that you penciled in, don't try to push the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. However, fitting an animal flap on your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, leading many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

Although this is much easier to do when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could invalidate the warranty. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you may have to be more cautious.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you will need to locate a place on the door that will be within the range your cat flap bifold doors can comfortably pass through. Once you have the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.

Make a hole

It can be a challenge to install a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it's best to employ an expert to do the work for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly but also pose a security threat. It could let cold air to enter when the cat flap installer near me is outside and hot air out when it is inside.

The first thing you have to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs flush with all the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you need to work with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is best to only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.

If the door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.

If you are fitting the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap in upvc door panel (Recommended Browsing) flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they like. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, especially when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you're willing to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed upvc door panel with cat flap panel, it's possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling holes in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that the door is safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically made up of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

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 including basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. No matter which type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a safer option as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home who could be hurt by glass shards.