Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet come and go at their own pace, without you having to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.
Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in a glass door, however it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be a problem. We will help you mark the shape and use the jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure the flap is in place and also protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without having to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, then put it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin cutting along the line that you penciled in, don't try to press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take the door material off.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without worrying about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, which is why many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the steps are adhered to.
This is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to harm the doors since this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it is able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough for a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using an alternative type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you know this, you will need to mark out the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you have finished cutting 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 an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very skilled in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but it could also be a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.
Mark the hole's position on the door using a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and runs flush with the door's other parts. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth any edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.
It is best to only remove the material that is required to create the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap but removing more than this can cause problems or damage the doors frame.
If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the walls of the flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into an upvc door or a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house when they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have a glass panel that can be cut. If you're able to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to add the cat flap to the doors. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also have to take a few steps to ensure it's secure.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.
After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models including basic push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
It's a good idea to select a circular fitting rather than a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. special info is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living at home who could be hurt by glass shards.