Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

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

Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy but if you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

The first step is determine the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap in upvc door panel flap you will need. 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 every time, but it is also small enough to stop them from going too far in either direction.

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

Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw start to cut along the line that you penciled in, don't try to push the blade too hard, as this could make it cut faster than you'd like it to. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to ensure that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature steady. fitting a cat flap in a upvc door a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't tried it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

While this is far simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you must be careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can invalidate the warranty. First, you must take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you may have to be more cautious.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate an area on the door that allows your cat flap bifold doors to comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll have to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. 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 completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily into place.

Cut a Hole

Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional in to do the task for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when it is inside.

The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs in a straight line with the other components of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you require when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.

It is essential to only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but cutting off more than this could cause issues and damage the doors with cat flap frame.

If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with wall of the flap.

If you are fitting an animal flap to an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. It is cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they'd like. However, if you own a uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you're able to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to install a cat flap to the doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling holes in the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that the door is safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in the door.

Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models, from basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather.

It is a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that could be hurt by glass shattering.