Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
It is easier to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will require some expertise and correct tools.
Take a look at the Door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be 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 show how to trace the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to keep them from moving 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 an illustration that outlines 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, be 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, begin to cut along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to push the blade too hard as this could cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also helps prevent draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. However, putting an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
This is much simpler to do with doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might require more care.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you have to draw the area using pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.
Make a hole
It can be a challenge to fit an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to do the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape 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 positioned and that it runs parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.
It is important that you only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than that can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.
A upvc door may have a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap and in this case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you're installing the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you've got an uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install a cat flap. It's not as simple as just making a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. cat flap cover for winter of door usually comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in the door.
Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models, from basic button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you pick, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have young or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.