Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet move around at their own pace without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from peeing in the house.

It is much easier to put a cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then finish off the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to stop them from moving too far in either direction.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, you can place it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom of it ensure that you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line that you've drawn in, don't try to press the blade too hard as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are happy with the result, you are able to take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap in upvc door panel flap allows you to let your pet inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature stable. Fitting a Cat flap In upvc Door panel flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the work. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

This is much simpler to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to fit the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you might have to be more cautious.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you will need to locate a place on the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is important that you 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 using 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 using sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a Hole

Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing cat flap glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's best to employ an expert to do the job for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.

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

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any necessary safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is best to only remove the material needed to create the flap. It is important to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the door frame.

A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install a cat flap inside a upvc or double-glazed window with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with an expert. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they want to. If you've got an uPVC door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap fitting flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to do first to make sure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.

Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap step flap. You can buy and fit various models including basic push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.

A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children at home who could be hurt by glass shattering.