Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your window cat flap from peeing in the home.

Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel a cat flap in a upvc door panel is a lot easier than glass doors, however it does require some skills and the right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door each time, but also small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.

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

Set a square to make sure you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can start removing the rest of the door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home steady. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the instructions are adhered to.

This is much simpler to do with doors made of wood, however it is still possible using 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, ensuring that it is able to fit the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult when you have the standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have a composite or other kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat's stomach. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you've got the information, you'll have to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. After you've cut the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.

Cut a Hole

Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional in to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but it could also be a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use a power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is essential to only cut away the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the case you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing a cat flap into an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is much less expensive to have this done than trying to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

cat flap double glazing flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and let them relax at home whenever they'd like. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to install an animal flap, especially when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need to do first to make sure it's secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically includes a template that you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.

Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap. You can choose from a wide range of options, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who could be hurt by shards of glass.