Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet come and go whenever they want without needing to let him in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.

It is simpler to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some expertise and correct tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat flap on the door can be a challenge but if you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will help you draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap double glazing flap that you require, measure your pet's width. This will let you select a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to enter the house and exit without needing to open the door every time.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge then make sure you have clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't tried it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are appropriate and the steps are followed.

While this is much simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will cause damage to your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and 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 need to take more care if you have an alternative type of door as these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to locate a place in the door that will be within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have this information, you will need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you create will fit your cat flap cost.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.

Make a hole

It can be difficult to put the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also an issue for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door with an eraser 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 in your possession to smooth any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.

It is best to only remove the material required to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than this could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.

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

If you're installing an animal flap to the frame of a double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. This is less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax at home whenever they want to. However, if you have an upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to install the cat flap to the doors. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. It is also necessary to take a few steps to ensure that it is safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat can use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather.

It's a good idea to choose circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children in your home that might be injured by glass fragments.