Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house whenever it wants is an excellent way to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing toileting incidents by making it easier for the cat to leave the house when needed.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to go and come at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This makes it perfect to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of your home as well!
It is important to measure the door prior to when you buy the cat flap install flap, as there are different sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it may be too large or too small, and your cat could have difficulty using it.
Use a ruler to determine the width at several places along the edges of the door. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few places. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do an acrobatics routine each time it uses the flap.
If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it could be best to seek assistance from a glazier, or someone who is familiar with this type of work often. They'll be able assist you in determining whether your door is suitable for a cat flap fitters flap, and provide you with the appropriate size of flap you should purchase.
Mark out the shape of the hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole out and will stop you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the correct place. If you are fitting a cat flap fitters flap to a patio door it is important that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors, it might be best to leave this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to insert a cat flap inside the glass pane and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to leave them home alone. It also helps keep draughts out of your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed with different materials than traditional wooden or replacement upvc door panels with cat flap doors and the process of installing them is different, too. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if it is compatible before you install the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may invalidate warranties.
In general, these kinds of doors are made to be tough and durable and have insulation built-in. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of doors, but it can be difficult to install an animal flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap install flap onto a uPVC door or composite.
To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need to determine their height. This will be easiest if they are asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too much. Once you know their height you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the position of the flap's bottom. This position can be outlined on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. Drilling into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to employ an expert glazier to install your cat flap into a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming brittle. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to crack and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't, you can make one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it does not then you can make one using the thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape has already been penciled on the door, use your spirit level and ensure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the opening, and it will not open or close.
Then, you can make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Use a blade that is specifically designed specifically for uPVC door use. It will typically be marked with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut, place the flap section against it and then open it to make sure the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound at any point, you can use the filer or the rasp to fix this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric gas or cable lines within the door you'll be cutting through, since they could be damaged by your jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fittings in the door, which will need to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be cautious not to damage these items during the process.
Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and will not have to worry about any of these issues. However, if your door is made of wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, it will increase the difficulty of the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it's worth getting expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting a cat flap in a upvc door (her comment is here) expert. It is crucial to do them correctly to avoid any future issues. Getting it wrong can cause the door to be damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Place the Flap
After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap in place to test whether it will fit and can be opened easily. If you find any points that catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit perfectly and can be opened without issue. Make sure the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.
Some kits come with an example of this, however, if it doesn't, you can use a piece or thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Lay the paper against the door and mark the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes on each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to fix the flap in place.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it's recommended to consult a professional. They will also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is essential to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to the doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you choose to do the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and possibly hazardous task.
You'll need to use a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll need to take great care not to damage the door or yourself, as it is very fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole in any kind of glass door is a lot more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.