Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the house.

Installing a cat flap cost flap into the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it will require some expertise and the right tools.

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish off the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to prevent the pet from straying too far in either direction.

If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can put it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom of it ensure you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat flap in upvc door panel, why not try here, 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 start to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this can make it cut faster than you want it to. If you own a square that you have cut, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

While this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you must be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will end the warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you might need to be more careful.

The next step is to determine the size of your cat flap step's belly. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a place in the door that will be within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is essential to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.

Make a hole

It isn't easy to fit an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

The first thing to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is placed and runs in a straight line with the other parts of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand for any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you need to work with the power tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is crucial to only cut away the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase 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 door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or 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 touch the wall of the flap.

If you're installing an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This is less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they want and let them relax in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you own an uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut for one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.

Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

It is a good idea to choose a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and harm your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.