Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want without needing to let him in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the house.

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

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will demonstrate how to mark the shape and use an jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without needing 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 mark out the location on the door where the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X, but some kits include an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. 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.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line you penciled in, but don't push the blade too hard, as this will cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle. 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 stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature in your home stable. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire 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.

This is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it can accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of composite or a different type of door, you may need to be more careful.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need to locate a place in the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to make the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust 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

Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have experience in DIY it is probably best to get an expert to complete the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing 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 the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and aligns with the rest of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can get a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.

It is essential 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 removing more than that can cause problems and even cause damage to the door frame.

A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap fitters flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.

If you want to install a cat flap in a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames you'll need to talk to an expert. They can offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. This will be less expensive than trying to install a cat flap in an existing pane that wasn't designed for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet move around whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house when they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have a glass panel which can be cut. If you're able to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit a cat flap installer flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of cutting a hole into the door. You'll also have to do a few things to ensure it's secure.

A composite, replacement upvc door panel with cat flap, or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can purchase and install various models, from basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your Cat Flap in upvc door panel can use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather.

It's a good idea to choose circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is especially important if you have child or an elderly person living in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.