Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the house.

Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside the door isn't easy but as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then complete the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.

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 let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from going too far either way.

Once you have the measurements you can determine the area on the door where the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits include drawings that show where to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.

Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can start removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you are able to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions with care.

While this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you must be careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate 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 easy enough when you have an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door as these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a place on the door that will be within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have the information, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so you know the hole will be suitable for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important 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 when using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a hole

It can be difficult to put an animal flap on a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it's best to employ a professional to complete the job for you. A botched job could not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when it is inside.

The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is placed and runs flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.

Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any necessary safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.

It is crucial to only cut away the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc may include 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 does not get in contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done, it is essential to fill in the gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install an animal flap to a upvc door or double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap inside. It is cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and let them relax in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you own an uPVC door it can be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to add a cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole through the door, however there are some things you'll need first to ensure it's safe.

A composite door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.

After you have marked out the opening in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models that range from simple push-button operated models to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

cat flap installation  is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who might be injured by glass shattering.