Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come at their own pace without needing to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.

Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but as long as you select the right kind of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then finish the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to prevent them from going too far either way.

Once you have the measurements you can mark out the area on the door where the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X, however some kits come with drawings that show where to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom of it ensure that you have enough space to ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start to cut along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut faster than you want it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are happy with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without worrying about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home steady. However, installing a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the steps are followed.

Although this is much simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will end the warranty. First, you must examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an alternative type of door since these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you know this, you will have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole.  upvc door panels with cat flap  is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily.

Cut a Hole

It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it is recommended to hire a professional to complete the job for you. A mistake could not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when inside.

Mark the hole position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and is flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.

You should only remove the material required to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.

A upvc door may have a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not touch the the cat flap, if this is done, it is important to fill in the gap and render it watertight.

If you want to install a cat flap inside a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They can offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install a cat flap. It's not as simple as simply making a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need first to ensure that it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind door has a template you can use to make the hole.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a range of options, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap and not get trapped outside in bad weather.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if a drill is used on it. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and cause harm to your pet or family. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who could be hurt by glass shattering.