Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.

It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll need some skills and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy however, as long as you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then complete the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will let you choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to go into the house and exit without needing to open the door each time.

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

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you have pencilled in. Don't press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. If you have an already-cut square, make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home steady. However, fitting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, which is why many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the steps are followed.

While this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors, as this can invalidate the warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you may have to be more cautious.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.

Make a hole

Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not skilled in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to do the work for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is in a straight line with the other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.

You should only remove the material that is required to make the flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that could cause issues and cause damage to the door frame.

A upvc door may have a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't touch the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing the cat flap in Upvc Door panel flap onto an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be cheaper than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own an glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a replacement upvc door panel with cat flap half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit an animal flap onto the doors. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap fitters flap. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. Whatever type of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat flap fitting near me is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children in your home that could be hurt by glass shards.