Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and cat flap in upvc door Panel out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the house.

It is much easier to put the cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll need some skills and the correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult however, provided that the cat flap fitters flap is the appropriate one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large 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 going too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements, you can determine the location on the door where the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X. However, some kits come with a drawing that shows 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 a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Utilize a set square to check that you are cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are happy with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap in upvc door Panel flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature in your home 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 a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the instructions are adhered to.

While this is far easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it can accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you might need to be more careful.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a spot near the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through wall cat flap. Once you have this information then you have to draw the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you create will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is essential to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Make a hole

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

Mark the hole's position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you need to work with the power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is best to only remove the material required to make the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the door frame.

A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done, it is important to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It is cheaper to have this done instead of trying to install the flap to an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you own a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as simply making a hole in the door, however there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure it's safe.

A composite door cat flap, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually has a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can choose from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that only let your pet in. No matter which type of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

It's a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home that could be injured by glass shards.