Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace without having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the home.

It is easier to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll need some skills and the appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the directions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish off the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will let you select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.

Once you have the measurements you can mark the location on the door where the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X. However, some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it ensure you have clearance from these to keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw begin to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in, don't try to push the blade too hard, as this will make it cut faster than you want it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. The installation of a cat flap your door might seem difficult to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are appropriate and the steps are adhered to.

This is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is still possible with upvc door panel cat flap. However it is important to be cautious not to harm the doors because this will make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough for a standard uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid upvc door panel with cat flap fitted panels.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the underside of the cat flap installer's stomach, and you'll need locate a place near the door fitting cat flap in upvc door panel that will be within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information, you'll need to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the opening will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to make the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof 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 fitted into place.

Cut a hole

Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional in to do the task for you. A botched job may not just be ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth any edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any necessary safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, consider buying an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.

It is best to only remove the material required to fit the flap. It is important to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.

If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap.

If you are fitting cat flap in upvc door panel the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who will supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be less expensive than fitting the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own an glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to add a cat flap to the doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling an opening in the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure that the door is secure.

A composite door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

Once you've marked the opening in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install various models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you choose it's important to make sure that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

It is a good idea to choose a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living at home who might be injured by glass shards.