Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet move around at their own pace without needing to let them in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.

Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat flap on the door can be a challenge but if you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be a problem. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is measure the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will let you select a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to walk into the house and leave without needing to open the door every time.

If your kit has an illustration of where to drill then you can put it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat Flap in upvc door panel and these elements.

Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the rest of the door material. If you have an already-cut square, use it to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with the shape, 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 having to worry about them coming in with guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. However, installing an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

While this is much simpler with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors as this will cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you may need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door as these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat flap install.

After you have marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight instead of rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole window with cat flap sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.

Make a hole

It can be difficult to install a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience window with cat flap DIY, it's probably best to get a professional to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only be unsightly, but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when the cat is inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs in a straight line with the other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

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

You should only remove the material required to create the flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than that could cause issues and cause damage to the door frame.

If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with wall of the flap.

If you are fitting the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazing cat flap glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. It is cheaper to get this done rather instead of trying to install the flap to an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they feel like it. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to install an animal flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole through the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's safe.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door has a template you can use to make the hole.

Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models that range from simple push-button operated models to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. However, regardless of what type of cat flap you select, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.

A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is especially crucial if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards glass.