Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet come and go as they please without having to let him in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is a lot easier than a glass door, but 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 correct one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish off the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind causing damage.
The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far either way.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits include an illustration that outlines the location to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you've drawn in, don't try to press the blade too hard because this can make it cut faster than you'd like it to. If you have a set square then use it to ensure that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, putting an animal flap on your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.
This is much simpler to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have a composite or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need locate a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this you'll need to mark out the area with a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your 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. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire an expert to complete the job for you. upvc cat flap door panels may not only be unsightly but it could also be a security risk and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and aligns with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you require when working with the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can get a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is best to only remove the material that is required to create the flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap, but cutting off more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the 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 gap and seal it with water.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into an upvc door or a double glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap in it. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not a matter of cutting holes in the door. You'll also have to perform a few steps to ensure that it is safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. However, no matter what type of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children at home who might be injured by glass shards.