Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat flap fitting from urinating inside the house.

Installing a cat flap into a upvc door panel is much easier than in a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door each time, yet small enough to prevent the pet from straying too far either way.

Once you have the measurements, you can determine the area on the door where the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X, but some kits come with an illustration that outlines the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat flap in upvc door Panel and the moulding or sill.

Next put on your eye protection and dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin to cut according to the lines you penciled in. Don't press the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. If you own an already-cut square, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, putting an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

While this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still feasible in uPVC doors, though you should be careful not to scratch the doors with cat flap, as this can cause damage to the warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if you have a composite or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you know this, you will need to mark out the area using pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you create will fit your cat.

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

Make a hole

It can be a challenge to install the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly, but also pose an security risk. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when it is inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is in a straight line with the other parts of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on ready for any rough edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety gear for working with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.

It is important that you only remove the material that is required to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto the frame of a double glazed window 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 premade in it. This will be cheaper than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they're feeling like it. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, especially when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add a cat flap. It's not a matter of slicing a hole into the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure it's safe.

A composite door cat flap, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install various models including basic push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

It's a good idea select circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children in your home that could be hurt by glass fragments.