Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.

Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the proper tools.

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish off the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will allow you to select a flap that is big enough to allow your pet to go into the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge ensure you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you penciled in. Don't press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you have a set square then use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw  our website  lets you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. The installation of a cat flap your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

This is much simpler to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors since this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have an alternative type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you will need to locate a place in the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you have this information then you need to mark out the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight instead of uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.

Cut a hole

Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not experienced in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly but also pose a security threat. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when the cat is inside.

Mark the hole position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and is flush with the door's other parts. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any edges.

After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is important that you only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap but cutting off more than this could cause issues and cause damage to the door frame.

If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with wall of the flap.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than trying to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they want to. However, if you have an uPVC door it can be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door usually includes a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in the rain.

It is a good idea to opt for circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards glass.