Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come as they please without having to let him in or out. They also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom inside the house.
Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Fitting a cat flap in the door can be a challenge but if you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will help you draw the shape and then use a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far either way.
Once you have the measurements, you can determine where on the door the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X, however some kits include an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin removing the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the directions are adhered to.
While this is much simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, though you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you may have to be more cautious.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a place in the door that will be within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've got the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that 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 the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be an issue 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 with pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly located and is parallel to the other parts of the door. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready for any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you need to work with an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.
It is best to only remove the material needed to create the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is the case, it is essential to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're installing a cat flap into an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be cheaper than fitting the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own a glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it's possible to fit an animal flap onto these doors. It's not a matter of cutting a hole into the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene 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 guide to cut the hole into your door.
After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of designs, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. More Bonuses is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is especially important if you have child or elderly person in your home who could be injured by shards glass.