Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.

It is easier to install an animal flap on a upvc door panel with cat flap panel than on a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and right tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the directions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then we will finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to keep them from moving too far in either direction.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin cutting according to the lines you penciled in, but don't press the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you have a set square then use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without worrying about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home steady. The installation of a cat flap fitters flap your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done it before. Many people call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the work. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

While this is far simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you must be careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could end the warranty. First, you must measure the door to ensure it will accommodate 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 need to be more careful.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you'll need locate a place in the door that will be within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information you'll have to draw the area using an eraser and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will need 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 fit the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have an expert to complete the task for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly, but also pose security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

Mark the hole position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready for any rough edges.

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety gear for working with a power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.

It is important that you only remove the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the door frame.

A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.

If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc or double-glazed window cat flap with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to get this done rather 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 inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own a glass panel that can be cut. If you're able to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not a matter of slicing holes in the door. You'll also have to take a few steps to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

Once you've marked the opening 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 push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap without getting caught in the rain.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is particularly important if you have child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.