Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come whenever they want without having to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from peeing in the home.

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

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements, you can determine the location on the door where the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X, but some kits come with a drawing that shows the location to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure you have clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line you penciled in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this will cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the work. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

This is much simpler to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary replacement upvc door panel with cat flap panel it's easy. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might have to be more cautious.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to locate a place near the door where this measurement is within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this then you need to mark out the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.

After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Make a hole

The process of fitting cat flap In upvc door panel a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you are not very proficient in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to complete the job for you. A faulty job can not only be unsightly, but also pose an security risk. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.

The first thing you have 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 properly positioned and that it runs parallel to other parts of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on ready to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any necessary safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

You should only remove the material needed to fit the flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not touch the the cat flap, if this is done, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you want to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to an expert. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want, allowing them to relax at home whenever they want to. If you've got a uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a replacement upvc door panels with cat flap half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be careful when cutting the material. This kind door has a template you can use to make the hole.

Once you've marked the opening in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat flap installation cost is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in the rain.

It's a good idea opt for circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. This is also a safer option since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people in your home that might be injured by glass shards.