Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from peeing in the house.

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

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to keep the pet from straying too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include drawings that show where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.

Next put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw start to cut along the line you penciled in, don't try to press the blade too hard because this will make it cut faster than you'd like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature inside your home steady. However, putting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

This is much easier to do with a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough for a standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door as these 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 between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you have this information you'll be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.

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

Make a hole

It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is probably best to get an expert to complete the job for you. A botched job could not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.

The first thing to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is located and is in a straight line with the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying one that is cordless, which is quieter and simpler to use.

You should only remove the material required to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the door frame.

If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed window with cat flap with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap in it. This is less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house when they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to install a cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have an glass panel that can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to add a cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally made up of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of back door with cat flap fitted typically has a template that you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in the door.

After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in the rain.

A circular fitting a cat flap in a upvc door cat flap in upvc door panel (My Home Page) is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. It's also a safer option as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that may break and hurt your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have young or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.