Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the house.

Installing a cat flap on the back door with cat flap fitted panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in the door can be a challenge but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then finish the job by fixing the cat flap in upvc door panel flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and also protects the doors with cat flap from the damage caused by rain and wind.

The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will enable you to select a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to enter the home and exit without needing to open the door every time.

If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, then stick it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it then make sure you have clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting according to the lines you penciled in. Don't push the blade too hard because this can make it cut faster than you want it to. If you have a set square then use it to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. However, fitting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

This is much simpler to do with a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of composite or a different type of door, you may require more care.

The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a place on the door that will be within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use the jigsaw, and it is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap installation bristol flap can be easily inserted.

Cut a Hole

It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have an expert to complete the task for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly but also pose a security threat. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when it is inside.

Mark the hole position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some 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 a power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.

It is important that you only cut away the material needed to fit the cat 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 could cause issues and damage the doors frame.

If the upvc door is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario, you will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.

If you're planning to install an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It will be much cheaper to have this done instead of trying to install the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they feel like it. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate 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 just a matter of drilling a hole into the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that it is secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of 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, now it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in the rain.

A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drills are 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 family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living at home who could be hurt by glass shards.