Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet come and go as they please without needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.

Installing a cat flap into a upvc cat flap door panels door panel is much easier than in glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the proper tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door can be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits come with drawings that show where to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge then make sure you have clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Set a square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. If you have an already-cut square, use it to ensure that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied 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 go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, installing the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the steps are followed.

While this is far simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you must be careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you might 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 locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area using an eraser and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you create will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.

Cut a Hole

It isn't easy to install the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake could 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 is inside.

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

Wear the safety equipment you require when working with the power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.

It is best to only remove the material required to create the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the door frame.

A upvc door may contain a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you are fitting a cat flap into an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who will supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It will be much cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they'd like. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own a glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not a matter of cutting a hole into the door. You'll also have to take a few steps to ensure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in your door.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button units to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat flap cost can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass cat flap installation near me. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have children or elderly people in your home that might be injured by glass shattering.