Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also help keep your cat Flap in upvc door Panel from having to go to the bathroom inside the house.

Installing a cat flap on a door panel made of Upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then complete the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the home and exit without having to open the door each time.

If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, then put it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge ensure that you have enough clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Set a square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. If you own a set square then use it to check 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 start to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home stable. Installing a cat flap on your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

This is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary upvc door panels with cat flap panel it's easy. However when your door is made of composite 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 distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. 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 opening will fit your cat flap install.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a Hole

The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you are not very proficient in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the work for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when it is inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on ready to smooth any edges.

Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are worried about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is essential to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the door frame.

If the door is made of upvc door panel with cat flap fitted and has a metal panel or 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 does not touch the walls of the flap.

If you are fitting an animal flap to an upvc door or a double glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. This is less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want and let them relax in the home whenever they like. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have a glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's safe.

A composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit many different models including basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting caught 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 can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a safer option as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children in your home that might be injured by glass fragments.