Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

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

It is simpler to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will require some knowledge and appropriate 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 be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to keep the pet from straying too far in either direction.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can begin removing the remaining door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, installing an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it can fit the new cat flap. This should be simple enough for an ordinary uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat flap in upvc door panel; head to hzpc6.com,'s stomach. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area on the door that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area with an eraser and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth rather than uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole window with cat flap sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.

Cut a hole

Getting a cat flap fitters flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not skilled in DIY, it is best to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but it could also be a security risk and also allow cold air to enter when the cat flap installer is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and is flush with the door's other parts. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any necessary safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is best to only remove the material that is required to make the flap. It is essential to leave a bit of 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 include a metal frame, or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you want to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames, you'll need to consult a specialist. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already made for the cat flap. It is cheaper to have this done than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they feel like it. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit an animal flap onto the doors. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap. You can purchase and install many different models, from basic button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting caught in the rain.

It's a good idea to choose circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who might be injured by glass shards.