Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.

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

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then complete the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door each time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far either way.

Once you have the measurements you can determine the location on the door where the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits include drawings that show where to drill. If you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Set a square to make sure you are cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. If you own an already-cut square, use it to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. However, installing the cat flap to your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many to hire an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the instructions are followed.

While this is far easier to do when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you should be careful not to scratch the doors as this will cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if you have an alternative type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a spot near the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through wall cat flap. Once you've got the information, you'll need to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you know the hole will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.

Cut a Hole

It isn't easy to install an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless have expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A botched job could not only be ugly, but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when it is inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and is flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any necessary safety gear for working with the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.

You should only remove the material that is required to fit the flap. It is necessary to leave a little extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap install flap and if this is the case you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is the case, it is essential to fill in the gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want and let them relax in the house when they like. If you have a upvc door panels with cat flap front door, it may be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have a glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's secure.

A upvc cat flap door panels, GRP or composite door cat flap door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually includes a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel flap itself. You can choose from a range of options, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

A circular fitting is more effective 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 drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who could be injured by glass shattering.