Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go at their own pace without having to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.
It is easier to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one, but you will require some expertise and right tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but if you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use a jigsaw in order to cut the door area. Then, we'll finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure the flap stays in position and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door each time, yet small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements, you can determine where on the door the template should be placed. usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin to remove the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the final result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home stable. However, installing an animal flap on your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, which is why many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the instructions are followed.
This is much easier to do with a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. First, you must measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However in the case of made of composite or another kind of door, you might have to be more cautious.
The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you've got the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you know the opening will fit your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it is time to cut out the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a hole
It can be a challenge to install a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly but it could also be 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.
Mark the hole's position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is important that you only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. fitting a cat flap in a upvc door of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could contain 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 oversize hole so that the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. This will be less expensive than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the house when they'd like. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be hard to install the cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have glass panels which can be cut. If you're able to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap. You can buy and fit many different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it's essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in the rain.
It's a good idea to choose a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and cause harm to your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who might be injured by glass shattering.