Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

cat flap installation flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace without needing to let him in or out. They also prevent your cat from peeing in the home.

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

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how much to install a cat flap to mark the shape and use a jigsaw in order to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to enter the house and leave without needing to open the door every time.

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

Put on your eye protection and a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you penciled in, but don't push the blade too hard as this will make it cut faster than you want it to. If you have a set square then make use of it to verify that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are happy window with cat flap this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature of your home steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.

While this is much simpler with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will invalidate the warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have the standard uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other kind of door, as they 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 distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a place in the door that will be within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.

Cut a hole

Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could let cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.

The first thing you have to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs in a straight line with the other components of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth any edges.

Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is important that you only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap but cutting off more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap in this case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is done it is crucial to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around anytime they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they'd like. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own glass panels which can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not a matter of slicing holes in the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door has a template you can use to cut the hole.

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap. You can purchase and install various models, from basic button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.

A circular Fitting Cat flap in upvc door panel is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living at home who could be hurt by glass shards.