Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from peeing in the house.

It is much easier to put a cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one but you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut out the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to keep them from moving too far either way.

Once you have the measurements you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X. However, 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 sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure that you have enough space because this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you penciled in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. Use a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. However, putting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, leading many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

While this is far simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you should be careful not to scratch the doors as this will end the warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is made of composite door cat flap or another kind of door, you may need to be more careful.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the hole will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight instead of uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily into place.

Cut a hole

The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional in to do the job for you. A botched job could not only be ugly, but also pose an security risk. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.

The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to the other components of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.

You should only remove the material that is required to fit the flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.

If the upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the walls of the flap.

If you want to install a cat flap in a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames you'll need to talk to an expert. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to do this than trying to fix the cat flap in bifold doors flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they feel like it. If you've got an uPVC door, it may 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 willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need to do first to make sure it's secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically includes a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install various models, from basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat flap installer can use the flap without getting caught in the rain.

It's a good idea to select a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living at home who could be injured by glass fragments.