Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some expertise and appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you select the right kind of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show how to trace the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you will require. This will allow you to select a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to go into the house and leave without having to open the door every time.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then put it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge ensure that you have enough space to keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin cutting according to the lines you penciled in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this will make it cut faster than you'd like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are happy with the result, you are able to take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. However, installing a cat flap in your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
This is much simpler to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. First, you must measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you might require more care.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need to locate a place in the door that will be within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information, you will need to mark out the area using an eraser and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time 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. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.
Cut a hole
Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the job for you. A mistake could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
Mark the hole position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth any edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is important that you only cut away 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 this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you're looking to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames it is necessary to speak with an expert. They can provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This is less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane that was not designed for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come as they please, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house when they feel like it. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're willing to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole through the door, however there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. double glazing cat flap is crucial to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models, from basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather.
It's a good idea to select a circular fitting rather than a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.