Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come whenever they want without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show how to trace the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.
The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will enable you to select a cat flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the house and exit without needing to open the door each time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then you can place it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If similar website has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure that you have enough space because this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Set a square to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin removing the rest of the door material. If you have a set square then make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can start to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without worrying about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature steady. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.
This is much simpler to do on wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors since 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. This should be easy enough when you have a standard uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if using a composite or other kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's stomach. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a place in the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area using pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is essential 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 using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily into place.
Cut a Hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A mistake could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when it is inside.
The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly placed and runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is important that you only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. It is necessary to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting away similar website could cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap and in this case you'll need to make 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 essential to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you want to install a cat flap inside a upvc or double-glazed window with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than fitting a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they want to. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut for one. If you're willing to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not just a matter of cutting holes in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This type door has a template you can use to cut the hole.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can choose from a variety of designs, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
It's a good idea to opt for circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could shatter and harm your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living at home who might be injured by glass fragments.