Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.

Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much easier than in a glass door, however it does require some skills and the right tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but if you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to prevent them from moving too far in either direction.

If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, you can place it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge ensure you have enough space to ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Use a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. If you have a set square then use it to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps 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 a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.

Although this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it can fit the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you may require more care.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a place in the door that will be within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily in place.

Cut a Hole

The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A mistake could not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat flap in upvc door panel is outdoors and hot air to escape when inside.

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

Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.

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

A door made of upvc may have a metal frame or panel 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 get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames it is necessary to speak with a specialist. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. This is less expensive than trying to fit the flap into an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they'd like. If you've got an uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly if you don't own glass panes that could be cut for one. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit an animal flap onto the doors. It's not just a matter of slicing holes in the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that the door is safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically made up of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door has a template you can use to make the hole.

After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models, from basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat flap cost can use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or family. This is especially important if you have a child or an elderly person living at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.