Cat flaps allow your pet come and go as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.
Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish off the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will enable you to select a flap that is large enough for your pet to walk into the house and leave without needing to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed. typically this is done using an X. However, some kits come with drawings that show where to drill. If you have one, then attach it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge ensure you have clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to start removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home steady. Installing a cat flap on your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the directions are adhered to.
While this is far simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate the warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might require more care.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the opening will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily.
Cut a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you're not experienced in DIY, it is best to hire a professional to do the work for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when it is inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly located and is in a straight line with the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.
You should only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the door frame.
If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with walls of the flap.
If you're installing 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 brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. This will be cheaper than trying to fit a cat flap in an existing pane that was not made specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind in the home whenever they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to install a cat flap. This is especially true in the event that you don't own an glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not a simple matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that the door is secure.
A composite door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in your door.
Once you've marked the opening in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. replacement upvc door panels with cat flap can pick from a range of options, from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.
It's a good idea to select a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living at home who might be injured by glass fragments.