Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back door with cat flap fitted as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.

It is simpler to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than on a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

The first thing you need to do is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll need. This will enable you to select a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the house and exit without needing to open the door every time.

Once you have the measurements you can mark out the area on the door where the template should be positioned, typically this is done using an X, but some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.

Use a set square to make sure you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin removing the rest of the door material. Use a set square to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you are able to take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. The installation of a cat flap your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are followed.

This is much simpler to do with a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have a standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door since these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a place in the door where this measurement is within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.

Make a hole

It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A botched job could not only be ugly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing you have to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is placed and runs flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth any edges.

Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.

You should only remove the material needed to create the flap. It is important to leave a little extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't get in contact window with cat flap the the cat flap. If this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. This will be less expensive than fitting the flap into an existing pane that wasn't designed for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not just a matter of drilling a hole into the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that it is safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically made up of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This type door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.

Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models, from basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that only let in your pet. Whatever kind of cat flap fitting flaps you choose it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

A circular fitting cat Flap In upvc door panel is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living in your home who might be injured by glass fragments.