Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet move around at their own pace without needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from peeing in the home.

Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the guidelines 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 opening and then finish off the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to walk into the house and leave without needing to open the door every time.

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

Then put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line that you penciled in. Don't press the blade too hard as this could make it cut faster than you'd like it to. Use a set square to ensure you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, installing a cat flap in your door could be an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are in order and the steps are followed.

This is much easier to do with doors made of wood, however it is 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 must examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate 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 may have to be more cautious.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you know this you'll need to mark out the area with pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

Cut a Hole

It can be difficult to put an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it is best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be a security risk as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and is 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 drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is essential to only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.

If the door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the flap.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with a metal frame, you will need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap in it.  Repair My Windows And Doors UK  will be less expensive than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they like. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut for one. If you're willing to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door, however there are some things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's safe.

A composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can buy and fit various models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat can use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.

It's a good idea to opt for circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drills are used on it. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and cause harm to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.