Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please without needing to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.

It is simpler to install a cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will require some knowledge and right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat flap on the door can be a challenge however, as long as you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be a problem. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use an jigsaw to cut out the door's area. Then we will finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll need. 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, but it is also small enough to stop them from moving too far either way.

Once you have the measurements you can mark out the location on the door where the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X, but some kits include an illustration that outlines where 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 at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Utilize a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the final result, you can remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the work. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.

This is much simpler to do with a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you may have to be more cautious.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the height from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you'll need locate a place in the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have this information you'll be required to mark the area with pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will create will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. You will require an jigsaw. It is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.

Make a hole

It can be difficult to fit a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you.  cat flap install RepairMyWindowsAndDoors  in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth any edges.

Wear any safety gear you'll need to use the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.

It is essential to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is important to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't touch the wall of the cat flap, if this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing the cat flap onto a upvc door or double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is cheaper to do this instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to fit one. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not a matter of drilling a hole into the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that the door is safe.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.

Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can pick from a variety of designs, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in the rain.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and injure your pet or your family. This is especially crucial if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.