Notes

Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.

It is easier to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll need some skills and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door


Fitting a cat flap in the door can be a challenge but as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the flap. cat flap step www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to stop them from going too far in either direction.

If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, then place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line you penciled in, don't try to push the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. If you own an already-cut square, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet out and in without worrying about them coming in with guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature of your home stable. However, fitting an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, leading many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

This is much easier to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you must measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, however you may require more care if you have a composite or other kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat's stomach. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area with a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a hole

Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.

After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.

You should only remove the material required to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material for the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.

If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.

If you're planning to install an animal flap to the frame of a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is cheaper to get this done rather than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they feel like it. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to install a cat flap to the doors. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. It is crucial to be careful when cutting the material. This kind door has a template you can use to make the hole.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can choose from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.

It's a good idea opt for circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who could be injured by glass shattering.

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