Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please without having to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating in the house.

It is how much to install a cat flap 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 inside the door can be a challenge but if you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut out the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure the flap stays in position and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you will require. This will allow you to select a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the house and exit without needing to open the door each time.

If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can stick it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the rest of the door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, installing an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

While this is much simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you must be cautious not to damage the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might need to be more careful.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need find a spot on the door where this measurement is 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.

Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've cut the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.

Make a hole

Installing a Cat Flap Step flap into an existing door panel or double glazing cat flap glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly located and is in a straight line with the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is important that you only cut away the material that is required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazing cat flap-glazed window with cat flap with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. This is less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap in an existing pane that wasn't designed for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and let them relax in the home whenever they like. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have an glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add the cat flap to the doors. It's not a simple matter of cutting an opening in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can pick from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you select, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.

It is a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or elderly person in your home who could be hurt by shards of glass.