Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet move around at their own pace without having to let him in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
It is easier to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will need some skills and the right tools.
Take a look at the Door
Installing a cat flap on a door can be tricky but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.
The first step is determine the width of your pet 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 enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can determine the area on the door where the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X, however some kits include drawings that show where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge ensure that you have enough clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Use a set square to check that you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. If you have an already-cut square, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. However, putting the cat flap to your door could be an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
While this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you must be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will invalidate your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will fit the new cat flap. This should be simple enough when you have a standard uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if you have an alternative kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you know this, you will be required to mark 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 have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.
Make a hole
It can be difficult to put the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional in to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing you need to do is draw the position of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is located and is in a straight line with the other components of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on ready to smooth any edges.
Wear any safety gear you need to work with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is best to only remove the material that is required to create the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but cutting off more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you are fitting a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is much less expensive to do this instead of trying to install the flap to an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they want to. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install an additional cat flap. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure that the door is safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. However, no matter what type of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.
It's a good idea select circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. visit your url 's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that may break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.