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 prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is much easier to put an animal flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll need some skills and the right tools.
Take a look at the Door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark the shape and use a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.
The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will require. This will let you choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door each time.
Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X, but 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 it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom of it ensure that you have enough space to ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Utilize a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin removing the remaining door material. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are happy with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, fitting a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.
While this is far simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you should be careful not to scratch the doors as this will cause damage to your warranty. First, you need to measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough when you have the standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if using a composite or other type of door since these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you have this information then you have to draw the area with an eraser and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is essential to take your time to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a hole
It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. If you're not experienced in DIY, it is best to employ an expert to do the work for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be a security risk as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using a pencil 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 an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is important that you only remove the material that is 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 could cause issues and damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not touch the the cat flap. If this is done, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you're planning to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with a specialist. They can provide you with a new piece of glass that has the hole already made for the cat flap. It is cheaper to get this done rather than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they're feeling like it. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to install an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally made up of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.
After you have marked out the opening in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install various models, from basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting caught in bad weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that may break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people in your home that might be injured by glass shards.