Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
It is easier to install an animal flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll need some skills and the correct tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then complete the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door each time, yet small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can determine the area on the door where the template should be positioned, typically this is done using an X. However, some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. However, putting a cat flap in your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, which is why many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the directions are adhered to.
This is much simpler to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will accommodate the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using an alternative kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you know this then you need to mark out the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once my explanation 've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily.
Make a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it is best to employ an expert to do the job for you. A mistake could not only be ugly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when it is inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is located and is parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.
You should only remove the material needed to create the flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case you'll need to make an oversize 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 then you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is cheaper to get this done rather than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they like. However, if you own a uPVC door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of slicing holes in the door. It is also necessary to take a few steps to ensure that it is secure.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind door has a template you can use to make the hole.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button flaps to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in bad weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. This is also a safer choice, 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 living in your home who could be hurt by glass fragments.