Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go whenever they want, without you needing to let him in or out.
They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.

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

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then finish the job by securing the flap to the door.
This will ensure the flap remains in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet go inside and out of 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.

If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, you can put it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat flap in upvc door cost and these elements.


Use a set square to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. If you own a set square then use it to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.


Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home steady. However, installing a cat flap in your door could be an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, leading many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job.

While this is definitely an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

It is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to fit the new cat flap.
This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an insulated or composite type of door since these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you have this information, you will need to mark out the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.



After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is essential 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. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health.

After you've finished the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.

Cut a Hole

It can be a challenge to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have an expert to complete the job for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.



The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs in a straight line with the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand for any rough edges.


Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety gear for working with the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.

It is important that you only cut away the material required to fit the cat flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc door panel cat flap may have a metal frame or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't touch the the cat flap.
If this is the case, it is important to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you're planning to install an animal flap to a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the fitting cat flap in upvc door panel flap already drilled inside.
This will be less expensive than trying to install a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not designed for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have a glass panel which can be cut.
Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit an animal flap onto the doors. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure that it's secure.


A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a thin 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 comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.


Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models including basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that only let in your pet. However, no matter what type of cat flap you select, it's crucial to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.


It's a good idea choose a circular Fitting cat flap In upvc door panel rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into the door glass.
It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is particularly important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who could be hurt by shards of glass.