Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.
It is easier to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one but you'll need some skills and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap is in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far either way.
If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill, then stick it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it then make sure you have clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature of your home steady. However, fitting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the directions are followed.
It is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to harm the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it is able to fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might require more care.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you have to draw the area with an eraser and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is crucial to be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a Hole
It can be difficult to fit a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it is best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A botched job 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 when inside.
Mark the hole position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and aligns with the door's other parts. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready for any rough edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are worried about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is important that you only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the door frame.
If the door is made of upvc and 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 are fitting an animal flap to an upvc door or a double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. This is less expensive than trying to install a cat flap in an existing pane that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house when they want to. If fitting cat flap in upvc door panel have a uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is especially true if you do not own an glass panel which can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole through the door, however there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. upvc door panel with cat flap fitted is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.
After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit various models, from basic push-button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that only let in your pet. No matter which type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in the rain.
It's a good idea choose a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children in your home that might be injured by glass shards.