Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating in the house.

Installing a cat flap into a upvc door panel is much easier than in a glass door, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but provided that the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from the 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 what size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to prevent them from moving too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X. However, some kits include drawings that show the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Set a square to check that you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin to remove the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap fitters near me flap is a great way to let your pet out and in without worrying about them coming in with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. Installing a cat flap on your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the instructions are followed.

This is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it can accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough when you have the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if you have an alternative type of door since these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information then you need to mark out the area with pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you create will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is essential to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust could be hazardous 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 into the hole.

Cut a Hole

Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once 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 placed and runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

You should only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the door frame.

A upvc door panel with cat flap door may include a metal frame, or a panel inside 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 wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is important to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you are fitting Cat Flap in upvc door panel a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed window with cat flap with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they like, allowing them to relax at home whenever they want to. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add the cat flap. It's not a simple matter of drilling holes in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that it is secure.

A composite door cat flap, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically includes a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting caught in the rain.

It's a good idea select circular fittings instead of one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have a young or elderly person in your home who could be injured by shards of glass.