Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from peeing in the home.
Installing a cat flap into a door panel made of Upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in the door can be a challenge but if you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, use 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 the flap stays in position and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can mark the area on the door where the template should be positioned, typically this is done using an X, but some kits come with drawings that show the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge ensure you have clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you've drawn in, but don't press the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you have a set square then use it to check that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home steady. However, putting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.
Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate the warranty. First, you need to measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough for the standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if using an alternative kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. cat flaps is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area on the door that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight instead of uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.
Cut a hole
It can be a challenge to install a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to do the job for you. A botched job may 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 position of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. It is important to have an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth any edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.
It is essential to only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but cutting off more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the walls of the flap.
If you are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who will supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and let them relax in the home whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have a glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to add a cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as just making a hole in the door, however there are some things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in your door.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap. see more can pick from a variety of options, from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. visit here 's also a much safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards glass.