Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is easier to install an animal flap on a upvc door panel cat flap panel than on a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and right tools.
Take a look at the Door
Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the directions it shouldn’t be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut out the door’s area. Then we’ll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure your pet’s width. This will let you select a cat flap installers flap that is large enough to allow your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door each time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then stick it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge then make sure you have enough clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to ensure that you’re cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin to remove the remaining door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the 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 the temperature of your home stable. Installing a cat flap on your door might seem difficult to those who haven’t done it before. Many people call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the instructions are followed.
Although this is much easier to do when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors, but you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors as this will invalidate the warranty. The first step is to measure the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn’t too difficult for the standard uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if you have 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 height of your belly for your cat flap in upvc Door Panel. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat’s stomach and you’ll need to find a spot on the door that will be within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it is time to cut the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily 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 do it yourself, but unless have a lot of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but it could also be an issue for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you are worried about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.
It is best to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap, but cutting off more than this can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap and if this is the case, you’ll need to make an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn’t touch the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you’re installing the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazed window with a metal frame, you’ll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is cheaper to get this done rather than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that hasn’t been designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and let them relax in the house when they like. However, if you own an uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly if you don’t own glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you’re able to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it’s possible to install the cat flap to the doors. It’s not a matter of drilling holes in the door. You’ll also have to take a few steps to ensure it’s safe.
A upvc cat flap door panels, GRP or composite door cat flap door panel is typically made up of an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
Once you’ve marked the opening in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting caught in bad weather.
It’s a good idea to select circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they’re drilled. This is also a safer option, as you won’t have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and cause harm to your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.