Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from peeing in the house. Installing a cat flap into a upvc door panel is a lot easier than glass doors, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools. Take a measurement of the door The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you use the correct type of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish off 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 damaging the door. The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but it is also small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction. Once you have the measurements you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed, usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include drawings that show where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill. Put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting according to the lines you have pencilled in, but don't push the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you want it to. If you own a square that you have cut, make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material. Draw a Line The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home stable. However, installing an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions with care. This is much easier to do on wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you need to take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you may need to take extra care if you are using an alternative type of door as these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels. Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you will need to locate a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information, you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the hole will be suitable for your cat. After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After cat flap install www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk cut the hole, you will need 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. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but it could also be a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside. The first thing you have to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is located and is flush with all the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges. After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any necessary safety gear for working with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier. You should only remove the material required to create the flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than that can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame. If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap. If you want to install a cat flap in a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames it is necessary to speak with a specialist. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose. Fit the Flap Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable at home whenever they like. If you've got an uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to install a cat flap to the doors. It's not a simple matter of slicing a hole into the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that it is secure. A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type door has a template can be used to cut the hole. Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can choose from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. However, regardless of what type of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather. It's a good idea select a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could break and cause harm to your pet or family. This is especially crucial if you have children or elderly people in your home that could be injured by glass shattering.