Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but as long as you choose the right type 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 be showing you how to mark out the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then complete the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
The first step is measure 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.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, you can place it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Next put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw begin to cut according to the lines you penciled in, but don't push the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material correctly 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 is a great method to let your pet out and in without worrying about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. Fitting a cat flap to your door can be a daunting task for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
While this is far easier to do with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, but you should be cautious not to damage the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will accommodate the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult when you have the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a spot on the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have this information then you be required to mark the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've cut 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 can be difficult to install an animal flap on a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. If you're not experienced in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to complete the job for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but also a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs flush with all the other components of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on the ready for any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you require when working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is quieter and simpler to use.
It is best to only remove the material needed to create the cat flap. It is important to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the door frame.
A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you're installing a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is much less expensive to get this done rather instead of trying to install the flap to an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like, allowing them to relax at home whenever they like. If you've got a uPVC door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut for one. Luckily, if cat flap in upvc door cost to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not as easy as simply making a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.
Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a range of options, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat can use the flap and not get trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children in your home who might be injured by glass shards.