Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
fitting cat flap in upvc door Panel a cat door in a front door can be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how much to install a cat flap to mark out the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap cost flap you need, measure the width of your pet. This will allow you to select a flap that is large enough for your pet to walk into the house and exit without needing to open the door each time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill then you can put it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge ensure that you have enough clearance from these to keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting according to the lines you penciled in, but don't press the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. However, installing an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many to hire an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the directions are adhered to.
This is much easier to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. First, you need to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, but you may need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your window cat flap's stomach. You'll need to locate an area on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you know the opening will fit your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it's time to cut out the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. Once you have 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 into place.
Make a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you're not experienced in DIY, it is recommended to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A shoddy job might not just be 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 once inside.
The first thing you need to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.
Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.
It is crucial to only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap.
If you're planning to install an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you've got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add a cat flap. It's not a simple matter of slicing a hole into the door. You'll also have to take a few steps to ensure it's safe.
A composite door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can pick from a wide range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and cause harm to your pet or your family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living at home who could be injured by glass shards.(Image: https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Window-Repairs.-150x150.jpg)
