Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.

It is easier to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.

The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to stop them from moving too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements, you can mark the area on the door where the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X, but some kits come with drawings that show the location to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge ensure that you have enough clearance from these to keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin to cut according to the lines you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you are able to take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap In upvc door panel flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. Installing a cat flap on your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the steps are followed.

This is much simpler to do with a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors with cat flap since this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult if you are using the standard uPVC door, however you may require more care if using an alternative type of door since these are 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 underside of the cat's stomach and you'll need to locate a place in the door that will be within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have this information, you will be required to mark the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you create will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to cut out the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've finished the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily into place.

Cut a hole

Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake could not only look ugly but also pose a security threat. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when the cat flap fitting is inside.

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

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is important that you only cut away the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc may have a metal frame or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap fitters flap if this is the case you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is important to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're planning to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already made for the cat flap. This is less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they feel like it. However, if you have an uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly if you don't own glass panes that could be cut for one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add a cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to make sure it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can choose from a wide range of designs, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and only let 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 in bad weather.

It is a good idea to opt for a circular fitting a cat flap in a upvc door rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that might be injured by glass fragments.