Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet come and go as they please, without you having to let him in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.
It is simpler to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll need some skills and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will help you mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will enable you to choose a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to enter the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.
If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can place it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge then make sure you have enough space to keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line that you have pencilled in. Don't push the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. If you have an already-cut square, use it to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature of your home steady. However, putting a cat flap in your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the instructions are followed.
While this is far simpler when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you must be careful not to scratch the doors since this could cause damage to the warranty. First, you need to measure the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough for a standard uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door as these can be 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 from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a place near the door that will be within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area with pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to make the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.
Cut a Hole
It can be difficult to fit a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.
The first thing you need to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly placed and runs parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is best to only remove the material needed to create the cat flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the door frame.
If cat flaps is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap in a double-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to an expert. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to have this done than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the house when they like. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own an glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally made up of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.
Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button units to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.
It's a good idea to opt for circular fittings instead of one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on 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. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home that could be injured by glass shattering.