Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the house.

Installing a cat flap into a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.

Measure the Door

Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be a problem. We will demonstrate how to mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut out the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.

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 that your pet can leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can determine the area on the door where the template should be placed, usually, this is done using an X, however some kits come with drawings that show the location to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it then make sure you have clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line you have pencilled in. Don't push the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut faster than you want it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are happy with the result, you are able to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature inside your home steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

While this is far simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you must be careful not to scratch the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. First, you need to measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough when you have the standard uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if you have a composite or other kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area with an eraser 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 out the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily into place.

Make a hole

The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional in to do the job for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but also a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.

Mark the hole position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.

Wear any safety gear you require when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is best to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave a bit of material for the wall thickness of the cat flap in bifold doors flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the door frame.

A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap in this 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 cover for winter flap. If this is the case, it is essential to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you want to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal, you'll need to consult an expert. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

cat flap installation cost flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they feel like it. If you've got an uPVC door it can 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 half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it's possible to install the cat flap to the 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 make sure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in the door.

After you have carved out the opening in your front back door with cat flap fitted, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.

It's a good idea to choose a circular fitting cat flap in Upvc door panel rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are children or elderly people in your home that might be injured by glass shattering.