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 inside the house.

It is much easier to put a cat flap in upvc door panel flap on a upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.

Take a look at the Door

Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy but as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will help you mark the shape and use a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure the flap remains in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

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 will need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far either way.

Once you have the measurements, you can determine where on the door the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X, but some kits come with a drawing that shows the location to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Use a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin to remove the rest of the door material. If you own a set square then use it to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with the shape, 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 worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. A lot of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can end your warranty. The first step is to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you may require extra care if you are using an alternative type of door since these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you know this, you will have to draw the area using pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat flap installation cost.

Once you have marked out the area, it is time to make the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap fitting flap can be easily inserted into the hole.

Make a hole

Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you're not proficient in DIY, it is best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

The first thing to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs parallel to the other parts of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on ready for any rough edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.

It is best to only remove the material needed to make the flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the back door with cat flap fitted frame.

A upvc door may have a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap in it. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they like. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually has a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into your door.

Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install many different models including basic push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat flap installation cost is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home that could be hurt by glass fragments.