Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go in and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom inside the house.
Installing Click Link on a door panel made of Upvc is a lot easier than glass doors, however it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then complete the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and shields the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to stop them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge then make sure you have enough space because this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home stable. However, fitting an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.
It is much easier to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to harm the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process 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 it's easy. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might have to be more cautious.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need to locate a place near the door that will be within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've got the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily into place.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you're not skilled in DIY, it is best to employ a professional to complete the work for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but it could also be an issue 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 have to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs parallel to other parts of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.
Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety gear for working with the power tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase an electric version that is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is best to only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap.
If you're installing the cat flap onto a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they like. However, if you own a uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not just a matter of drilling holes in the door. It is also necessary to take a few steps to ensure that the door is secure.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. 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 now time to fit the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in bad weather.
It's a good idea opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. 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 you have a child or elderly person in your home who could be injured by shards of glass.