Cat flaps let your
cat flap double glazing leave and come back at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much easier than in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut the door area. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind damaging the door.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door each time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.
Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you are able to start removing the rest of the door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature steady. However, putting a cat flap in your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the steps are followed.
While this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you must be cautious not to damage the doors as this will end your warranty. First, you must take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need locate a place on the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily.
Cut a hole
The process of fitting a
cat flap installer near me flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it is best to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A mistake could not only be ugly, but also pose a security threat. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside 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 an ax level. This will ensure that it is located and is flush with all other parts of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you need to work with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
You should only remove the material required to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.
If you're looking to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. It is cheaper to have this done instead of trying to install the flap to an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be difficult to put in the
Cat flap in upvc door panel flap. This is especially the case when you don't have glass panels which can be cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not a simple matter of drilling an opening in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind door has a template you can use to make the hole.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can pick from a variety of options, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or an elderly person living in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.