Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please, without you having to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.

It is easier to install an animal flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one, but you will require some expertise and appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult however, so long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the directions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap to the door.  cat flap installer near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk  will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

The first step is determine the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to stop them from moving too far either way.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, you can place it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these because this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the 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 unwelcome gifts in the home. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, fitting a cat flap in your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are followed.

This is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you might require more care.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have this information then you have to draw the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean 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. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.

Make a hole

The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A mistake could not only be unsightly, but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when it is inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and aligns with the door's other parts. Make sure to have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.

It is best to only remove the material required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap but cutting off more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.

If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the walls of the flap.

If you are fitting an animal flap to an upvc door or a double glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be less expensive than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house when they want to. If you've got a uPVC door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially if you don't own 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 install a cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure that it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.

After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it is time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a variety of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in the rain.

It is a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards glass.