Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go in and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is much easier than in a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy however, as long as you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too difficult. We will help you draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap is in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far either way.
Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X. However, some kits come with an illustration that outlines the location to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Set a square to make sure you are cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can start removing the rest of the door material. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. However, putting an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
how much to install a cat flap is much easier to do on wooden doors, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you may require more care.
The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to locate a place on the door that will be within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you know this you'll have to draw the area with pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's best to hire a professional to complete the job for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly, but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth any edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than this can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel within it that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the gap and render it watertight.
If you're installing the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. This will be cheaper than trying to fit the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they'd like. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be hard to install the cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have glass panels that can be cut. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's safe.
A composite door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is extremely 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.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.