Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
It is easier to install an animal flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will need some skills and the correct tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. news will show how to trace the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish off the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap 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 also small enough to prevent them from moving too far either way.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X. However, some kits come with a drawing that shows where to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. 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.
Put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home steady. Installing a cat flap on your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to do the work. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.
This is much easier to do on wooden doors, but it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of composite or a different type of door, you may require more care.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you've got the information, you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so you know the opening will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to make the hole. It is essential 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 damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.
Make a hole
It isn't easy to fit an animal flap on the door panel or double glazing unit. If you're not skilled in DIY, it is best to employ an expert to do the work for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any necessary safety gear for working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is best to only remove the material required to fit the flap. It is important to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the door frame.
A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap , and if this is the case, you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you're planning to install an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame then you will 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 in it. It is much less expensive to have this done than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they want to. If you've got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not just a matter of slicing a hole into the door. You'll also have to do a few things to ensure that the door is secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically made up of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into your door.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap. You can pick from a variety of options, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in the rain.
It is a good idea to opt for circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that may break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that could be hurt by glass shards.