Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace without needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.

It is easier to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some expertise and right tools.

Measure the Door

Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will demonstrate how to mark the shape and use the jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap is in place and protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is measure 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 to allow your pet to go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to stop them from moving too far in either direction.

If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can place it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom of it ensure you have enough space as this will ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Utilize a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you are able to take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature of your home stable. However, installing an animal flap on your door could be an intimidating task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the directions are adhered to.

This is much simpler to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is still possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might need to be more careful.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to locate a place near the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat flap bifold doors is able to comfortably walk through. Once you know this, you will have to draw the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will create will fit your cat flap installation cost.

Once you've marked the area, it is time to make the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is essential to take your time to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a Hole

It isn't easy to put an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you're not skilled in DIY, it is best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but it could also be an issue for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear any safety gear you'll need to use the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is important that you only remove the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap, but cutting off more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.

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

If you're looking to install a cat flap into windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind in the home whenever they're feeling like it. If you've got an uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that can be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as cutting a hole in the door, however there are some things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.

A composite door panel typically comprises a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.

Once you've marked the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a variety of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap and not get trapped outside in bad weather.

It's a good idea to choose a circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have young or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.