Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the house.

Installing a cat flap on a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the right tools.

Take a look at the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then complete the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far in either direction.

If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can place it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you penciled in, don't try to press the blade too hard because this could make it cut faster than you'd like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a good rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can start to remove the rest of the 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 prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home steady. The installation of a cat flap your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the instructions are adhered to.

This is much simpler to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. First, you must examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you might have to be more cautious.

The next step is to measure the height of your Fitting cat flap in upvc door Panel's stomach. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you've got the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you know the hole will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.

Make a hole

It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. fitting a cat flap in a upvc door botched job may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to get in when the cat flap step is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing to do is draw the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is in a straight line with the other components of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.

You should only remove the material needed to create the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the door frame.

A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.

If you're installing an animal flap to a upvc door or double-glazed window cat flap with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It is cheaper to have this done than trying to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and let them relax in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you have an uPVC door it can be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to fit one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a half-glazed replacement upvc door panel replacement cat flap panel, it's possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not a simple matter of cutting an opening in the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that it is safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in the door.

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can choose from a wide range of options, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather.

It's a good idea select circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking when a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that may break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or an elderly person living in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.