Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come as they please, without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.
Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the right tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's opening and then finish the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to keep them from moving too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, then place it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge 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 make sure you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the remaining door material. If you have a set square then make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can start to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them coming in with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature in your home steady. However, putting the cat flap to your door can seem like an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the instructions are followed.
This is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be 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 belly height of your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a spot on the door where this measurement is within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this then you need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily.
Cut a Hole
It can be a challenge to put an animal flap on the door panel or double glazing unit. If cat flap fitting near me are not very skilled in DIY, it is best to employ an expert to do the job for you. A botched job could not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when the cat is inside.
The first thing to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs flush with all the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you need to work with an electric tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can purchase a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.
It is important that you only cut away the material required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but cutting off more than this could cause issues and harm the frame of the door.
If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation, you will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with wall of the flap.
If you're installing a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed windows with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be cheaper than fitting a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to install the cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own an glass panel that can be cut. If you're able to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to add an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as simple as cutting a hole through the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.
After you have marked out the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models including basic push-button operated models to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your cat can use the flap and not get trapped in the weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or an elderly person living in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.