Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.
It is simpler to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will need some skills and the appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is the right type and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.
The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can place it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge ensure you have clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line you penciled in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this can cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature stable. However, installing a cat flap in your door could be an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many people to seek out a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the directions are followed.
This is much easier to do with a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an alternative type of door since these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you know this then you need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.
Cut a hole
Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional in to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly but also pose an security risk. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and an ax level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs parallel to other parts of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at hand to smooth any edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.
It is essential to only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the door frame.
If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. It is cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they want to. However, if you own an uPVC door it can be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're able to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of cutting a hole into the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure that it is secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically made up of an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap itself. You can pick from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in the rain.
It is a good idea to select circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer option since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass which could shatter and harm your pet or your family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living in your home who might be injured by glass fragments.