Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house at will is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for cats to leave the house if required.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This makes it perfect to keep them inside the home when you're away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the home too!
It is essential to measure the door before you buy the cat flap, as there are different sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size that fits into your door made of upvc otherwise, it could be too small or too large and your cat will be unable to use it.
Get a ruler and determine the width at several places along the edges of the door. You should also take measurements of the height of the door in a few spots. A door that is too tall will make your cat do an acrobatics routine each time it wants to use the flap.
If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it may be best to ask for help from a glazier or someone who performs this kind of work often. They'll be able assist you in determining whether your door is suitable for a cat flap and advise you on the right size of flap to buy.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is to draw out the shape of the hole in the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole and will stop you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the long run!
Make sure to put the hole in the right location. For instance, if installing the cat flap inside the patio door, you must ensure that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and problems with the seal.
It is best to delegate the installation of the cat flap onto the glass door to an experienced glazier. It can be difficult to install the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass cat flap installation near me, and you may be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to move around whenever they like without having to leave them home alone. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which isn't beneficial for your cat or you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These kinds of doors are typically made from different materials than standard wooden or upvc door panels cat flap doors, and the installation process is quite different too. Before you consider fitting a cat Flap in a upvc door an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it is compatible and that you have consulted the manufacturers as alterations may affect any warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable with insulation. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other doors, however they can be difficult to fit the cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate the cat flap in upvc door panel flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner before beginning.
You'll have to measure their height in order to ensure they pass through the door. It's easier to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so they don't move around. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. Then, you can mark this location on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important be extra cautious when cutting it using power tools. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in the cat flap inside a pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A Glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap installers near me flap will come with a drawing template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole will go. If it isn't, you can make one using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape is drawn on the door you can then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is positioned correctly in the door, and it won't slide open or close.
Then, use your jigsaw to cut out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out and the flap section is in place, put it up against it and push it out to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or a rasp to fix this.
Also, make sure whether there are any electric gas or cable lines within the door that you will be cutting into as they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which must be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items in the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid uPVC door and so will not have to worry about any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative piece that isn't easily removed, this can make the job.
For these types of jobs, it's important to get advice from fitting a cat flap in a upvc door cat flap fitter. It is important to complete the job correctly to avoid problems in the future. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Fit the Flap
After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to see whether it can be opened easily. If you spot any areas which catch or stick or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit properly and open without difficulty. Make sure the flap is perfectly flush with the door.
If your tool doesn't have an example, you could make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line in order to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these are the screw holes you'll use to put it into place.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore easy to cut into. But, if your door is made of GRP or a composite, this may be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it's recommended that you hire an expert. 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 want to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, remember that this could be messy and possibly hazardous task.
You'll need an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors, rather than only the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you'll require extra care to not damage the door. It's important to remember that it's more difficult to create a hole in a door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.