Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

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

Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is a lot easier than glass doors, however it does require some skills and the proper tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then complete the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far either way.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge then make sure you have enough space because this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can start removing the rest of the door material. If you have a square that you have cut, make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature of your home stable. However, installing a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you should be careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate the warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it can accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have a standard uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door since 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 measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a place on the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information then you need to mark out the area with pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat flap fitting near me.

Once you have marked out the area, it is time to cut out the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.

Make a hole

It isn't easy to put the cat flap installation cost flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing cat flap glazing unit. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless have a lot of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional in to do the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing you need to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs flush with all the other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any necessary safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and easier.

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

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 to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the flap.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with cat flap with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap cost near me flap already drilled in it. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather instead of trying to install the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please, giving them the ability to unwind in the home whenever they feel like it. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're willing to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to install the cat flap to these 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 that it's secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install many different models including basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. However, no matter what type of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.

It's a good idea opt for circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and cause harm to your pet or family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home who could be hurt by glass fragments.