Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go in and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

It is easier to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.

Take a look at the Door

Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then complete the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will let you choose a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.

If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, then put it on the door and then draw 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.

Use a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can start removing the remaining door material. 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 final result, you can remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are in order and the steps are followed.

While this is much simpler with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. First,  repairmywindowsanddoors  need to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if using a composite or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate a space at the entrance that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll have to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for 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 fitted into place.

Cut a Hole

Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional in to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door using pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is in a straight line with other parts of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth any edges.

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is best to only remove the material needed to make the flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage the door frame.

A door made of upvc could contain 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 oversize hole so that the metal does not touch the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.

If you're installing an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. This is less expensive than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax at home whenever they like. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not a matter of cutting holes in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door usually includes 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 time to install the flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models, from basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap and not get trapped outside in bad weather.

It's a good idea to choose circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if there are elderly or children at home who might be injured by glass shattering.