Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy but if you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish off the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind causing damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to keep the pet from straying too far in either direction.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can place 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.

Put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you've drawn in, don't try to press the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you are able to remove the remaining 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 unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature in check. However, fitting an animal flap on your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

Although this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors with cat flap as this will invalidate the warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to fit the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might require more care.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you have the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is essential to take your time to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap in upvc door panel (More inspiring ideas) flap can be fitted easily.

Make a hole

It can be a challenge to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly, but also pose an security risk. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat flap insulation is inside.

Mark the hole position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on ready to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety gear for working with a power tool. If you are worried about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

You should only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this can cause problems and even cause damage to the door frame.

A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazed windows 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 in it. This will be cheaper than fitting the flap into an existing pane that wasn't designed for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like and let them relax in the home whenever they want to. If you have a upvc door panel with cat flap front door, it might be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have a glass panel that can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it's possible to install the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as making a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into your door.

After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can pick from a variety of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.

It is a good idea to opt for circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who might be injured by glass shattering.