Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go in and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom inside the house.

Installing a cat flap installation flap into a door panel made of Upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will show how to trace the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap fitting near me flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

The first step is measure the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you will require. 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 also small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, but don't push the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. 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 in and out without having to worry about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature steady. However, fitting an animal flap on your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the instructions are adhered to.

It is much easier to do with a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. First, you must examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using a standard uPVC door, however you may require extra care if you are using a composite or other type of door since these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area on the door that allows your cat flap installers to comfortably pass through. Once you have the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that 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, as dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.

Cut a hole

Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and aligns with the door's other parts. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, consider buying one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.

It is essential to only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat Flap in upvc door Panel flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the door frame.

A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap in this case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing the cat flap onto the frame of a double-glazed window with a metal frame, 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. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like and let them relax in the house when they want to. If you've got an uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut for one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not a matter of cutting holes in the door. You'll also have to perform a few steps to ensure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually composed of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in your door.

Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap. You can purchase and install many different models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat flap installers is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in the rain.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It's also a safer choice to use since you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.