Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, without you having to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating in the home.

It is easier to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll need some skills and the appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will help you draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door every time.

If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, you can put it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this will make it cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a set square then use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can start to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. However, putting the cat flap to your door could be an intimidating task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the steps are adhered to.

While this is far easier to do with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you must be cautious not to damage the doors since this could cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to fit the new cat flap in upvc door cost flap. If you have an ordinary upvc door panel replacement cat flap panel, this should be easy. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might need to be more careful.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat flap double glazing to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain 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 crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily.

Cut a Hole

It isn't easy to put the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. If you're not experienced in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to do the work for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing you need to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs parallel to the other parts of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on ready for any rough edges.

Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.

You should only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.

If the upvc door is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.

If you are fitting an animal flap to an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. This is less expensive than fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they like. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own an glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to add a cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as simply making a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in the door.

Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models including basic button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

It is a good idea to select circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living at home who might be injured by glass shattering.