Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go in and out whenever they want without having to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating in the house.

It is much easier to put a cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some expertise and appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you select the right kind of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be a problem. We will be showing how to trace the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then complete the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to keep them from moving too far either way.

If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill then you can put it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Then put on your eye protection and dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to press the blade too hard as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you have an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and also to ensure that the hole is a good 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 in upvc door cost flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them coming in with guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, putting the cat flap installation cost near me flap to your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, leading many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

While this is far simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you must be careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the back door with cat flap fitted, making sure that it will accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you might need to be more careful.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have this information, you will be required to mark the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.

Cut a Hole

It isn't easy to put a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it is best to hire a professional to complete the job for you. A botched job could not only look ugly, but also pose a security threat. 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 mark the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and that it runs parallel to the other components of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at the ready to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you require when working with the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can buy a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.

It is best to only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the door frame.

If the door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario, you will need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the flap.

If you want to install a cat Flap in upvc Door Panel flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames you'll need to talk to an expert. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to have this done than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like and let them relax in the home whenever they'd like. However, if you own a uPVC door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling a hole into the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure that it is safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally made up of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door usually has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models, from basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. However, regardless of what type of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is particularly important if you have young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.