Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is much easier to put an animal flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some knowledge and correct tools.
Measure the Door
Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but so long as the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the directions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then complete the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.
The first thing you need 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 need. This will enable you to select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and leave without having to open the door every time.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, you can stick it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom of it ensure that you have enough clearance from these to keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start cutting along the line that you've drawn in, but don't press the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a set square then make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without worrying about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people will call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are in order and the directions are followed.
This is much simpler to accomplish on wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have the standard uPVC door, however you may require more care if you have a composite or other kind of door, as they 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 between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once cat flap in upvc door cost figured out the measurements you'll need to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Make a hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it's best to hire a professional to do the work 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 out when it is inside.
The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly positioned and that it runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth any edges.
Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.
You should only remove the material required to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.
If you're looking to install a cat flap inside a upvc or double-glazed window with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with a specialist. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they like and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they'd like. However, if you have an uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially if you don't own a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install the cat flap. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can buy and fit many different models that range from simple push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you choose, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is especially crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who could be injured by glass shards.