Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house as it pleases is an excellent method to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it needs to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This makes it ideal 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 take measurements of the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size that fits into your door made of upvc door panel with cat flap fitted otherwise, it might be too small or large, and your cat may be unable to use it.
Before doing anything but use a ruler to take measurements of the length of the door in various places along its edge. You should also determine the height of the door in a few places. A door that is too tall can cause your cat to perform an exercise routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.
If you're not sure how to measure a door, it might be best to ask for assistance from a glazier or someone who does this kind of work frequently. They should be able to assist you in determining whether or the door you have is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to purchase.
Once you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to mark out the shape of the hole on the door. This will aid you when you're cutting the hole, and will save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. If you're fitting a cat flap in a upvc door (click the up coming article) a cat flap to the patio door, it is important that the hole does not be too close to hinges. This could result in leakage or issues with the seal.
It is best to leave the job of installing a cat flap on a glass door to an experienced glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet leave and come back whenever they wish without having to leave him alone. It can also help to stop the draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for either you or your cat!
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These types of doors are often made of different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different, too. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible prior to installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can invalidate warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are built to be durable and tough with insulation included. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, however it can be difficult to install a cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to determine their height in order to ensure they pass through the door. This is easier when they're asleep or calm so that they aren't moving around too often. Once you have their height you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. You can then mark this spot on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. The drilling process can make it crack, especially when the area is composed of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire a glass installer when installing an e-cat flap fitting near me flap on the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap comes with a template that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, you can make your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape has been drawn on the door, use your spirit level and make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the opening, and it won't slide open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw and cut out the shape that has been drawn on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once you have the hole made then place the flap up against it and push it open to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.
Also, make sure that there are no electric gas or cable lines within the door you'll be cutting through because they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed to install the cat flap and be careful not to damage them during the process.
The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door, and therefore won't have to deal with any of these problems. But, if your door is made of wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed then this will increase the difficulty of the job.
It is always advisable to seek professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs as it is essential to do them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap on to test if it fits and can be opened easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.
If your kit doesn't have a template, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door and mark a line where you will need to place the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Make four screw holes at each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These will be the screw holes will be used to secure it in place.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. But, if your door is made from GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it is recommended to consult an expert. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your door is suitable for installation of a cat flap fitters near me flap.
You can fit a cat flap into composite doors but it's important to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes as any alterations to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the task yourself, be aware that this could be messy and hazardous task.
With composite doors, you'll usually require a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll have to take extreme care not to hurt the door or yourself since it is very fragile. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to make a hole in a door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.