Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back door with cat flap fitted as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from peeing in the house.

It is easier to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a fitting cat flap In upvc door panel door into a front door can be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then complete the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure your pet's width. This will let you select a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to go into the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.

Once you have the measurements you can determine the location on the door where the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge ensure that you have clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you've drawn in. Don't press the blade too hard as this could make it cut faster than you'd like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that 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 the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature stable. However, putting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

While this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you should be careful not to scratch the doors as this will end the warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it will fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you might need to be more careful.

The next step is to measure 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 spot on the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you have to draw the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you create will fit your cat.

After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This 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 could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap fitters near me flap can be fitted easily in place.

Cut a hole

Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have an expert to complete the job for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly, but also pose security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when the cat is inside.

The first thing to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly placed and runs parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you need to work with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.

You should only remove the material needed to create the flap. It is important to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the door frame.

If the upvc cat flap door panels door is made of metal, or has a 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 touch the wall of the flap.

If you're installing a cat flap into an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the 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'd like. However, if you have an uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as simple as cutting a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to install 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. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather.

It is a good idea to choose circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drilling is applied to 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 might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.