Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap into a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in the door can be a challenge but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will be showing how to trace the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then complete the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to stop them from moving too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then place it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge then make sure you have enough space as this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Utilize a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.
This is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it will fit the new cat flap. This should be easy enough when you have the standard uPVC door, but you may require extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's stomach. This is the amount of height 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 pass through comfortably. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area with an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling Repair My Windows And Doors can be harmful for your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily in place.
Cut a hole
Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to complete the work for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly, but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly located and is flush with all the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on ready to smooth out any rough edges.
Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.
It is best to only remove the material that is required to fit the flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the door frame.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal does not touch the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto a upvc door or double-glazed window 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 premade in it. It will be much cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that was not 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 house when they'd like. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to install an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install the cat flap. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to do first to make sure it's safe.
A composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be careful when cutting the material. This type door has a template you can use to cut the hole.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit many different models including basic push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in the rain.
It is a good idea to select circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children at home who might be injured by glass shattering.