Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

It is easier to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass however, you’ll need some skills and the correct tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky 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 much trouble. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door’s opening and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you’ll need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to prevent them from going too far either way.

If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill, you can put it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you have pencilled in, don’t try to press the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you’d like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you’re cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are satisfied 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 outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home’s temperature in check. The installation of a cat flap your door may seem daunting to those who haven’t done it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it’s possible to do the job yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

While this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in upvc door panels with cat flap 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 measure the composite door cat flap, ensuring that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. This isn’t too difficult if you are using the standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have an alternative kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat’s stomach, and you will need to locate a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you’ve got the information, you’ll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

After you have marked the area, it’s time to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you’ve cut the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.

Cut a hole

It isn’t easy to put a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional in to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only be unsightly but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when inside.

The first thing you have to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs in a straight line with the other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you’re worried about noise, you can get a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.

It is crucial to only cut away the material needed to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap in this case you’ll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you’re planning to install a cat flap in upvc door panel [why not try here] flap into an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. This will be cheaper than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want, allowing them to relax at home whenever they like. If you’ve got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially when you don’t have a glass pane that can be cut for one. Luckily, if you’re happy to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, it’s possible to fit an animal flap onto the doors. It’s not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door though and there are a few things you’ll need first to ensure that it’s secure.

A composite door cat flap door panel typically comprises an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind of door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.

Once you’ve marked the opening in your front door, it is time to install 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. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.

It’s a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. It’s because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It’s also a safer option 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 crucial if you have elderly or children in your home that could be hurt by glass fragments.