Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They can also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but if you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut out the door's area. Then we will finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

The first step 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 let you select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and exit without needing to open the door every time.

If your kit has an illustration of where to drill then you can place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Use a set square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin to remove the remaining door material. If you own a square that you have cut, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, installing the cat flap to your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the steps are followed.

It is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have a standard upvc door panel with cat flap door, but you may need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need to locate a place on the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the hole will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.

Cut a Hole

The process of fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing cat flap glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to complete the job for you. A botched job could not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to the other components of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth any edges.

Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any necessary safety gear for working with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.

It is important that you only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this can cause problems or damage the doors frame.

A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the the cat flap. If this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you are fitting cat flap in upvc door panel an animal flap to the frame of a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. This is less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap in an existing pane that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be hard to install the cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own an glass panel that is cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as just making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.

A composite door cat flap door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can pick from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.

It's a good idea choose circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.