Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Installing a cat flap on a door panel made of Upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use an jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.
The first step is determine the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to keep the pet from straying too far either way.
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 an illustration that outlines where to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your
cat flap in bifold doors and the moulding or sill.
Put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw start to cut along the line you penciled in, but don't push the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are happy with the final result, you can 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 stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, putting a cat flap in your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the instructions are followed.
This is much simpler to do with doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to harm the doors since this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you may require more care.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a spot in the door that will be within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information then you need to mark out the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you create will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the
cat flap install flap can be easily inserted.
Cut a hole
The process of
fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you're not experienced in DIY, it is recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly but also pose an security risk. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready to smooth any edges.
After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety gear for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.
You should only remove the material needed to create the flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the
cat flap cost near me flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage the door frame.
If the upvc door is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the flap.
If you're installing the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they're feeling like it. However, if you have a uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to add the
cat flap fitters near me flap to these doors. It's not as simple as just making a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's safe.
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 quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap itself. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and cause harm to your pet or your family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children in your home that could be injured by glass shattering.