Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the home.

Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it does require some skills and the proper tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be a problem. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of Cat flap in upvc door panel flap you will require. 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 the pet from straying too far either way.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick 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 these elements.

Use a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a good 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 ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home stable. However, fitting the cat flap to your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the instructions are adhered to.

This is much easier to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap fitting flap. This isn't too difficult if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you may require more care if using an insulated or composite type of door since these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you know this, you will have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is crucial to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

Cut a hole

It isn't easy to put an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.

Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

You should only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.

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

If you're planning 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 already made for the cat flap. This will be less expensive than fitting a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they're feeling like it. However, if you have a uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut for one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add the cat flap. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door cat flap door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap. You can buy and fit various models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.

It is a good idea to opt for circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and Cat flap in upvc door panel harm your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.