Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
It is easier to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll require some expertise and right tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but if you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be a problem. We will show you how to draw the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then finish the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.
The first thing to do is determine the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can place it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom of it then make sure you have clearance from these to keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Then put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you've drawn in, but don't push the blade too hard as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature steady. However, installing an animal flap on your door can 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 do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.
This is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you must measure 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 another type of door, you might require more care.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. fitting a cat flap in a upvc door 'll need to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you have this information then you have to draw the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After cat flap bifold doors 've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A mistake could not only look ugly, but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when it is inside.
The first thing to do is draw the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is important that you only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap premade inside. This will be cheaper than fitting the flap into an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and let them relax in the house when they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own glass panels which can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's secure.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door typically has a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can choose from a variety of designs, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in bad weather.
It is a good idea to choose circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking when a drill is used on it. Check This Out 's also a safer option as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children in your home that could be hurt by glass shards.