Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.
Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to prevent them from moving too far in either direction.
If your kit has an illustration of where to drill then you can stick it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge ensure that you have enough clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin removing the remaining door material. If you have a set square then make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. fitting cat flap in upvc Door panel (
Www.webwiki.nl) a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the work. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the steps are adhered to.
This is much simpler to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you may have to be more cautious.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a place on the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll need to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to make the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Make a hole
It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional in to do the job for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the
cat flap bifold doors is outside, and hot air to escape inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs parallel to the other components of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth any edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are worried about the sound 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 flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than this can cause problems and even cause damage to the door frame.
A
upvc cat flap door panels door may have a metal frame or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done, it is crucial to fill in the gap and render it watertight.
If you are fitting a cat flap into a upvc door or double-glazed
window cat flap with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to do this than trying to fix a
cat flap insulation flap into an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like and let them relax in the house when they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have an glass panel which can be cut. If you're able to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to install the cat flap to these doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling a hole into the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a reference to cut the hole in your door.
After you have marked out the opening in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. Whatever type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.
It's a good idea to choose circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that could be injured by glass fragments.