Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet move around whenever they want, without you needing to let them in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.

It is much easier to put an animal flap on a upvc cat flap door panels panel than a glass one but you'll require some expertise and right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing how much to install a cat flap to trace the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then finish off the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.

The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to stop them from going too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X, but some kits come with a drawing that shows where to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom of it ensure you have enough space as this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start to cut along the line you penciled in, don't try to push the blade too hard as this could cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. However, putting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

It is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you may have to be more cautious.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat flap in upvc door panel's stomach. It is important to locate a space at the entrance that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll be required to mark the space using a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the hole will fit your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.

Make a hole

Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but also a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape 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 it is positioned correctly and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.

It is crucial to only cut away the material required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the the flap, but cutting off more than this could cause issues and cause damage to 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 case, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the walls of the flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap in upvc door panel flap into the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It will be much cheaper to do this instead of trying to install the flap to 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 come and go whenever they like, allowing them to relax at home whenever they want to. If you have a upvc door panel with cat flap fitted front door, it may be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own glass panels that is cut. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not a matter of cutting a hole into the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically has a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.

After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models including basic push-button operated models to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.

It's a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that could be injured by glass shards.