Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

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

Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much easier than in glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and shields the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is determine the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to prevent the pet from straying too far in either direction.

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

Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you penciled in, don't try to press the blade too hard, as this will cause it to cut faster than you want it to. If you own a set square then use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure 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 lets you to let your pet in and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, installing the cat flap to your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the directions are followed.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you should be cautious not to damage 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 an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you may require more care.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to locate a place near the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll need to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you know the opening will fit your cat flaps for french doors.

After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily.

Make a hole

It isn't easy to put the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. If you're not experienced in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to complete the job for you. A faulty job can not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat flap in upvc door panel is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.

Mark the hole position on the door with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.

Wear any safety gear you need to work with an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.

You should only remove the material required to fit the flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.

A upvc door may contain a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you're looking to install a Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel flap inside a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames you'll need to talk to an expert. They can offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is cheaper to have this done than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable at home whenever they like. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own an glass panel which can be cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement upvc door panel with cat flap panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not a matter of drilling a hole into the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure that the door is secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally made up of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in the door.

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install various models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you pick, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.

A circular fitting is better than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who might be injured by glass shards.