Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.
It is much easier to put a cat flap on a upvc panel than on a glass one, but you will need some skills and the correct tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy but if you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will demonstrate how to mark the shape and use a jigsaw in order to cut out the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, 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 needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to prevent them from moving too far in either direction.
If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then put it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure that you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line that you penciled in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to ensure that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature of your home stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
This is much easier to do with a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using a composite or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need find a spot near the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go 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 make will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is essential to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a hole
Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless have plenty of experience with DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not just be ugly, but it could also be an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly located and is parallel to the other parts of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on ready to smooth any edges.
Wear any safety equipment you need to work with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
upvc door panel with cat flap is essential to only remove the material needed for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than this can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.
If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.
If you want to install a cat flap inside a double-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with an expert. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have an glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to add the cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need first to ensure it's safe.
A composite door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in bad weather.
A circular fitting is better 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 drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children in your home that could be injured by glass shards.