Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go at their own pace, without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one but you'll require some knowledge and right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind causing damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill then you can put it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom of it ensure you have clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a good 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 you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the final result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. However, putting a cat flap in your door could be an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, which is why many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.
While this is much simpler to accomplish with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult for a standard uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if you have an alternative type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the height from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a place on the door that will be within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information then you be required to mark the area using pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you create will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you are worried about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the cat flap itself but removing more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap, and in this case you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is important to fill in the gap and render it watertight.
If you are fitting a cat flap into an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap in it. This is less expensive than trying to install a cat flap in an existing pane that was not made specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around anytime they want and let them relax at home whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have a glass panel which can be cut. If you're able to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it's possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not just a matter of slicing holes in the door. cat flap installers 'll also have to take a few steps to ensure it's secure.
A composite door panel is typically made up of 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 typically has a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap itself. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. However, no matter what type of cat flap you pick, it's crucial to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is especially important if you have young or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards glass.