Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace without having to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.

It is simpler to install an animal flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will require some knowledge and right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat flap on the door can be a challenge but if you use the correct type of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.

The first step is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will let you select a flap that is big enough for your pet to go into the house and exit without having to open the door every time.

If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, then 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 the moulding or sill.

Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting according to the lines you penciled in, but don't press the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut faster than you want it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet in 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 steady. However, installing an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

Although this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you may have to be more cautious.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat flap bifold doors's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to locate a place on the door that will be within the range your pet can comfortably go through wall cat flap. Once you know this you'll be required to mark the area with a pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.

Cut a hole

It can be a challenge to put the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it is recommended to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A mistake in the process may not just be 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 when inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is quieter and more user-friendly.

You should only remove the material needed to fit the flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.

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

If you're planning to install a cat flap inside windows made of double glazing cat flap-glazed or upvc with metal frames it is necessary to speak with a specialist. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to have this done than trying to fix the cat flap in Upvc door panel flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like and let them relax in the house when they want to. If you've got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to purchase and install fitting a cat flap replacement upvc door panel with cat flap half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type door has a template you can use to cut the hole.

Once you've marked the opening in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can pick from a range of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.

It's 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 leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could shatter and harm your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that could be injured by glass fragments.