Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please without you needing to let him in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.

It is much easier to put an animal flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one but you'll need some skills and the correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat flap on the door can be a challenge however, as long as you choose the right type of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the back door with cat flap fitted's opening and then finish the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is measure the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will enable you to select a flap that is big enough for your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door every time.

If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill then you can place it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.

Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, but don't push the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without worrying about them coming in with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the work. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the steps are adhered to.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the back door with cat flap fitted, making sure that it will fit the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using an alternative type of door as 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 measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need locate a place on the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area with an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the 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 can be fitted easily.

Cut a hole

It can be a challenge to install a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat flap in upvc door panel is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on ready to smooth any edges.

Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is crucial to only cut away the material that is required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.

If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the walls of the flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap in a double-glazed or upvc window cat flap with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and let them relax in the house when they want to. However, if you own an uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you're able to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to install the cat flap to these doors with cat flap. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in your door.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting caught in the rain.

It's a good idea select a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option to use as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass cat flap installation near me that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are children or elderly people in your home that could be hurt by glass fragments.