Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet come and go at their own pace without you having to let him in or out. They also prevent your cat from peeing in the home.

It is easier to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some expertise and right tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then complete the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will let you select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the house and exit without having to open the door every time.

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

Next put on your eye protection and dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line that you've drawn in, but don't push the blade too hard, as this could make it cut faster than you want it to. If you own a set square then make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home stable. Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel a cat flap to your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are followed.

Although this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could end your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it will fit the new cat flap. This should be easy enough for a standard uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if using an insulated or composite type of door since these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a spot in the door where this measurement will fall within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it is 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 damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a Hole

It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get a professional to do the job for you. A mistake could not only be ugly, but also pose a security threat. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air out when the cat is inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any necessary safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is best to only remove the material required to create the flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems and even cause damage to the door frame.

If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario, you will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the flap.

If you are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed window cat flap with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap inside. It is much less expensive to do this than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they feel like it. However, if you own a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap fitting flap, especially if you don't own a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement upvc door panels with cat flap panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as simple as cutting a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need first to ensure that it's secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel typically comprises a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap. You can purchase and install many different models, from basic push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children in your home that could be hurt by glass fragments.