Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come whenever they want without needing to let him in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

It is easier to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll need some skills and the correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure the flap stays in position and protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is determine the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far either way.

If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill, then place it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure that you have enough clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin cutting according to the lines you've drawn in. Don't press the blade too hard, as this can make it cut faster than you want it to. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the final result, you can 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 worrying about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (view site…) a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't tried it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the directions are followed.

This is much simpler to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might need to be more careful.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat flap fitting's stomach. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area at the entrance that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you have the information, you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you know the hole will fit your cat.

After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is crucial to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a Hole

It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have an expert to complete the task for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly, but also pose a security threat. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when the cat is inside.

The first thing to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on ready to smooth any edges.

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying one that is cordless, which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is best to only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap 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 situation, you will need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.

If you are fitting the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. This is less expensive than trying to fit the flap into an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax inside the house when they want to. If you have an upvc door panel cat flap front door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have a glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to buy and install a half-glazed replacement upvc door panels with cat flap uPVC panel then it is possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as simple as cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can pick from a variety of options, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.

It's a good idea to opt for circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards of glass.