Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet come and go whenever they want, without you having to let him in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.

It is easier to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one, but you will require some expertise and correct tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap inside the door isn't easy but if you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be a problem. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using a jigsaw to cut 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 is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

The first thing to do is determine the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat Flap in upvc door panel flap you will need. This will let you select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and leave without needing to open the door each time.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then place it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge ensure you have enough clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line you've drawn in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you are able to take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home stable. However, fitting the cat flap to your door could be an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the instructions are followed.

While this is far easier to do with a wooden door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can invalidate the warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will fit the new cat flap. This should be simple enough if you are using the standard uPVC door, however you may need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other 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 measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a spot near the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your pet can comfortably go through wall cat flap. Once you know this, you will be required to mark the area with an eraser and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you create will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight instead of uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.

Make a hole

Getting a cat flap fitters flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the task for you. A mistake could not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be an security risk. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at the ready for any rough edges.

Wear any safety gear you require when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

It is essential to only cut away the material required to fit the cat flap cost flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap but cutting off more than this can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is the case, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. It is cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix a cat flap into an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially true if you do not own an glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not a simple matter of cutting holes in the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure that it is safe.

A composite door panel typically comprises a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. No matter which type of cat flap you pick it is essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck 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 are more likely to break the glass when drilled. It's also a safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living at home who could be injured by glass shattering.