Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They can also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc panel than a glass one, but you will need some skills and the correct tools.

Measure the Door

Fitting a cat door in the front door is difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish off the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind damaging the back door with cat flap fitted.

The first step is measure the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap insulation flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but it is also small enough to stop them from going too far either way.

If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.

Set a square to make sure you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can start to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, putting an animal flap on your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the instructions are adhered to.

This is much simpler to do on wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your 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 door cat flap or another 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. You will need to find an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information you'll need to mark out the area with pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you create will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to make the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.

Cut a Hole

Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you're not proficient in DIY, it is best to employ a professional to do the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.

Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is important that you only cut away the material needed to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be required for the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.

If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the flap.

If you're looking to install a cat flap into a double-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to an expert. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is cheaper to have this done than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they feel like it. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to install an animal flap onto the doors. It's not as easy as simply making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally made up of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This type door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting caught in bad weather.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc Door panel is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drilling is applied to it. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have a child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards glass.