Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

Installing a cat flap on a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the proper tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but if you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will be showing how to trace the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then finish the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.

The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.

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

Next put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting along the line that you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this can make it cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap fitting flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature stable. Fitting a cat flap to 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 work. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the directions are followed.

While this is far simpler with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors, as this can end the warranty. First, you must examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you may have to be more cautious.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you have the information, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. After you've finished the cutting process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

Cut a Hole

It can be a challenge to put an animal flap on a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have an expert to complete the job for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly but also pose an security risk. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and that it runs parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.

It is essential to only remove the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than that could cause issues and damage the doors frame.

A upvc door may contain a metal frame or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel flap. If this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install an animal flap to the frame of a double glazing cat flap glazed windows with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be less expensive than fitting the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and let them relax at home whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have a glass panel that is cut. If you're able to buy and install a new half-glazed upvc door panels with cat flap panel, then it's possible to add an animal flap onto the doors. It's not as simple as making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door usually includes a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.

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 push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who could be injured by glass fragments.