Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to 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 in the house.
It is easier to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some expertise and right tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you will need. 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, but it is also small enough to keep them from moving too far either way.
Once you have the measurements, you can determine where on the door the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X, but some kits come with an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom of it then make sure you have clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Then put on your eye protection and dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in. Don't press the blade too hard, as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are happy with this 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 inside the home. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. The installation of a cat flap your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
This is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it will fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you might have to be more cautious.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you have this information you'll need to mark out the area using pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for 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 fitted into place.
Make a hole
It can be a challenge to fit the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake could not only look ugly, but also pose a security threat. It could let cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you require when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.
You should only remove the material required to create the flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto a upvc door or double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap in an existing pane that was not made for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the ability to unwind in the home whenever they feel like it. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as just making a hole in the door, however there are some things you'll need first to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. No matter which type of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. internet is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living in your home who could be injured by glass shattering.