Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace without having to let them in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.

Installing a cat flap on a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.

Take a measurement of 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, take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to prevent them from moving too far in either direction.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can place it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom of it ensure that you have enough clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you have an already-cut square, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can begin 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 worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature in check. 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 a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the work. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the instructions are adhered to.

This is much simpler to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough when you have a standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have a composite or other type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a place in the door that will be within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've got the information, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it is time to make the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.

Cut a hole

It can be difficult to install the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the work for you. A mistake could not only be ugly, but also pose an security risk. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air out when inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at the ready to smooth any edges.

Wear any safety gear you'll need to use an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.

You should only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too how much to install a cat flap could cause issues or even damage the door frame.

If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.

If you are fitting an animal flap to an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It will be much cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flap Installation bristol flaps let your pet move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be hard to install the cat flap installation flap. This is particularly true if you do not own glass panels that is cut. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole through the door though and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever kind of cat flap fitting flaps you select it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drilling is applied to it. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.