Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.
It is much easier to put an animal flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one but you'll require some expertise and correct tools.
Take a look at the Door
Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then complete the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can put it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in, don't try to press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can start to 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 a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature in your home stable. However, fitting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
Although this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, though you must be cautious not to damage the doors since this could 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 a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you might need to be more careful.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a spot near the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are sure that the opening will fit your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it is time to make the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a hole
It isn't easy to put the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have a lot of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A mistake could not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when it is inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth any edges.
Wear any safety gear you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.
It is best to only remove the material required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the the flap but removing more than that can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. This will be cheaper than trying to fit the flap into an existing pane that was not made for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they feel like it. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not a simple matter of cutting an opening in the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap. You can pick from a variety of options, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you select, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
It's a good idea select a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. This is also a safer option since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and cause harm to your pet or family members. cat flap double glazing is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children in your home that could be hurt by glass shards.