Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet move around whenever they want without having to let him in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, however it will require some expertise and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but if you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then we will finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind causing damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will allow you to select a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to enter the home and exit without having to open the door every time.
If your kit has a drawing showing 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 and the moulding or sill.
Utilize a set square to make sure you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. If you own a set square then use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, putting upvc door panels with cat flap in your door could be an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, leading many to hire an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are followed.
While this is far simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors, as this can cause damage to the warranty. First, you must examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a spot in the door where this measurement is within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information you'll be required to mark the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it is best to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly, but also pose an security risk. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on ready to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety gear for working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
You should only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the walls of the flap.
If you're planning to install the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be less expensive than fitting the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially true in the event that you don't own glass panels that is cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add a cat flap. It's not a simple matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into your door.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could shatter and harm your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards glass.