Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.
It is easier to install an animal flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will require some knowledge and correct tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then finish off the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will require. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to enter the house and exit without having to open the door every time.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom of it then make sure you have clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line you have pencilled in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this could cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once hop over to here are satisfied with the final result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people will call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the steps are followed.
It is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you may have to be more cautious.
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. It is important to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you know this then you need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you create will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.
Make a hole
Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but it could also be a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing to do is mark the position of the hole in the door with pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is flush with all other parts of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at ready for any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you'll need to use the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than that could cause issues and cause damage to the door frame.
A upvc door may have 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 come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you are fitting an animal flap to a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a brand new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap in it. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they're feeling like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is particularly true in the event that you don't own glass panels which can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install the cat flap. It's not as easy as just making a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically has a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit various models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.
It's a good idea select circular fittings instead of one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into 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 don't risk drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children at home who could be injured by glass shattering.