Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come at their own pace, without you having to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat flap installation from toileting inside the house.

Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the right tools.

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then complete 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.

The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door each time, but it is also small enough to keep the pet from straying too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements, you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X. However, some kits come with drawings that show the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to push the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. If you have a set square then use it to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with the shape, you can start to remove the rest of the 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 stops draughts and helps keep the temperature inside your home stable. Installing a cat flap on your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to do 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 carefully.

Although this is much simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still feasible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors since this could end the warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other type of door since these are more difficult to cut into than solid upvc door panel cat flap panels.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you have this information 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.

After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

Cut a hole

It can be a challenge to fit a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it is best to hire fitting a cat flap professional to do the job for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear any safety gear you need to work with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.

You should only remove the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than that can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.

If the upvc door panel with cat flap door is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap in a upvc or double-glazed window with frames made of metal, you'll need to consult a specialist. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to have this done instead of trying to install the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and let them relax in the house when they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have an glass panel that can be cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install a cat flap. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole through wall cat flap the door though and there are some things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a range of options, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel is better than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible 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, which could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who could be injured by glass fragments.