Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is simpler to install the cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be a problem. We will be showing how to trace the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to 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.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill then you can put it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin to remove the remaining door material. If you have a set square then use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. However, putting an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
This is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors since this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough for the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using a composite or other type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need locate a place on the door where this measurement is within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information, you will be required to mark the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you create will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily.
Make a hole
It can be a challenge to fit an animal flap on the door panel or double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience with DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the job for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly, but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when it is inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. a knockout post will ensure it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is best to only remove the material required to create the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the the flap but removing more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap.
If you're installing a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. This will be cheaper than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax inside the house when they feel like it. If you've got a uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly in the absence of glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're able to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole through the door, however there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in bad weather.
It's a good idea to choose a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have a child or an elderly person living at home who could be injured by shards of glass.