Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

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

It is simpler to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some expertise and right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but as long as you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then finish off the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then put it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge then make sure you have clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you have a set square then use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being a nuisance to a visitor, Fitting cat flap in upvc door panel or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also helps prevent draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors with cat flap, though you should be cautious not to damage the doors, as this can cause damage to the warranty. The first step is to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough when you have the standard uPVC door, however you may require more care if using an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a spot in the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information you'll have to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are sure that the opening will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

Make a hole

Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A mistake could not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat flap installation bristol is outside and hot air out when it is 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 runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.

It is crucial to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done, it is crucial to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing an animal flap to an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they feel like it. If you've got an uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add a cat flap. It's not as simple as cutting a hole through the door however, and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's secure.

A composite, upvc door panel with cat flap, or GRP door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.

Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (anchor) is better than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who could be injured by shards of glass.