Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.

It is much easier to put the cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will require some expertise and appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will help you draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap installation flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll need. 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 each time, but also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can mark out where on the door the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X. However, some kits come with a drawing that shows the location to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough space because this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Use a set square to check that you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin removing the remaining door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can start to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature of your home steady. Installing a cat flap in upvc door panel (read more) flap on your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are appropriate and the directions are adhered to.

While this is far simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can invalidate the warranty. First, you must measure the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough when you have a standard upvc door panel with cat flap door, however you may require more care if you have an alternative kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a place in the door that will be within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.

Make a hole

It isn't easy to install a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door using pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and that it runs flush with all the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.

It is important that you only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but cutting off more than this can cause problems or damage the doors frame.

A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap, if this is done, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you are fitting the cat flap onto the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap installers near me flap already drilled in it. This is less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they want to. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto the doors. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure it's secure.

A composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide to cut the hole into your door.

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap. You can purchase and install many different models, from basic push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who could be injured by glass fragments.