Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
From Dark Warriors Wiki
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap into a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Take a look at the Door
Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap be patient 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 area and then finish the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to prevent the pet from straying 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 draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start to cut along the line that you penciled in, but don't push the blade too hard as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without worrying about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature steady. Fitting a cat flap in upvc Door panel flap to your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are in order and the instructions are followed.
It is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough for the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door since these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area on the door that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you know this, you will have to draw the area using an eraser and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have an expert to complete the job for you. A botched job may not only be unsightly but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to get in when the cat flap in upvc door panel is outside and hot air to escape inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and aligns with the door's other parts. It is important to have some sandpaper on the ready for any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is crucial to only cut away the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage 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 case, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into an upvc door panel with cat flap door or a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. It is much less expensive to get this done rather instead of trying to install the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and let them relax at home whenever they'd like. However, if you own an uPVC back door with cat flap fitted, it may be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut to accommodate 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 as easy as simply cutting a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's safe.
A composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install many different models, from basic push-button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you pick, cat flap in upvc Door panel it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.
