Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet move around whenever they want, without you needing to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.

It is easier to install the cat flap on a upvc door panel replacement cat flap panel than on a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then complete the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

The first step is determine the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you will need. This will let you choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to enter the home and exit without having to open the door every time.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then place it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge ensure that you have clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you have pencilled in. Don't push the blade too hard because this will make it cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and 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 method to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. However, installing an animal flap on your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, which is why many to hire an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the instructions are followed.

This is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult for the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite 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 amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll be required to mark the space using a spirit level and fitting a cat flap pencil, so that you know the hole will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.

Cut a Hole

It isn't easy to put the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.

Mark the hole position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and runs flush with the door's other parts. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth any edges.

After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is best to only remove the material needed to make the flap. It is important to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.

A upvc door may contain a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal does not touch the the cat flap insulation flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.

If you're installing an animal flap to a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a brand new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix the fitting cat flap in upvc door panel flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and let them relax in the house when they want to. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install an additional cat flap. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that it is secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door usually includes a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole in your door.

Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather.

A circular Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.