Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is much easier to put a cat flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but if you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the doors from the 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 large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to keep them from moving too far in either direction.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can place it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin removing the rest of the door material. If you have an already-cut square, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are in order and the steps are adhered to.
While this is far easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will cause damage to the warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will fit the new cat flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if using an alternative 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 height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to find an area on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll have to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a Hole
It can be difficult to fit an animal flap on a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task 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 when inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you need to work with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is best to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't touch the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you're planning to install a cat flap inside a double-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal, you'll need to consult an expert. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to do this than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Place cat flap fitting allow your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they like. If you've got an uPVC door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly if you don't own glass panes that can be cut for one. If cat flap fitting are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This kind door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.