Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is easier to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one, but you will need some skills and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat door in the front door is difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut the door's opening. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure the flap is in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, then put it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge ensure you have enough space to keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can begin removing the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature in your home stable. The installation of a cat flap your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the work. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are in order and the instructions are adhered to.
This is much simpler to do with doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you may need to be more careful.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. cat flap in bifold doors is the distance between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate an area on the door that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you have the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.
After fitting a cat flap in a upvc door have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless have a lot of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when 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.
You should only remove the material required to create the cat flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the door frame.
A upvc door may have a metal frame or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting a cat flap into a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and let them relax at home whenever they'd like. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own glass panels that is cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not a matter of drilling an opening in the door. You'll also have to do a few things to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally made up of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's 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. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you pick, it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap and not get trapped outside in bad weather.
It's a good idea choose a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children at home who could be injured by glass shards.