Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

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

Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is a lot easier than a glass door, but it does require some skills and the right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy but as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape and then use a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's opening. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.

The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far either way.

Once you have the measurements you can determine the location on the door where the template should be placed, usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits include an illustration that outlines 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 sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough space because this will keep your cat flap cost safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw start to cut according to the lines you penciled in, don't try to press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door can be a daunting task for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.

This is much simpler to do on wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you may require more care.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the height 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 will fall within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've got the information, you'll have to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so you are sure that the opening will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily in place.

Make a hole

It isn't easy to put an animal flap on a door panel or a sealed double glazing cat flap glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is located and is flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth any edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.

It is best to only remove the material that is required to create the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.

If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation, you will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap into windows made of double-glazed or replacement upvc door panel with cat flap with metal frames you'll need to talk to an expert. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than trying to install a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they're feeling like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be hard to install a cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have an glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling an opening in the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure that the door is secure.

A composite door panel is typically made up of an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in the door.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

It is a good idea to opt for a circular fitting a cat flap in a upvc door rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children at home who might be injured by glass shattering.