Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They can also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will be showing how to trace the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.
The first step is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be placed, usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include drawings that show the location to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin to cut along the line that you have pencilled in. window with cat flap press the blade too hard because this will make it cut faster than you would like it to. If you have a set square then make use of it to verify that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. However, fitting the cat flap to your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
Although this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors as this will end your warranty. The first step is to measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough for a standard uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you know this you'll need to mark out the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. window with cat flap and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.
Make a hole
It can be a challenge to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, 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.
The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.
Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any necessary safety gear for working with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is crucial to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.
If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it could 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're planning to install a cat flap into windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want and let them relax in the home whenever they like. If you've got an uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly if you don't own glass panes that could be cut for one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole through the door though and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's secure.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into your door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can choose from a range of options, from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. However, no matter what type of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.
A circular fitting is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is especially important if there are children or elderly people at home who might be injured by glass fragments.