Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace without needing to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating in the home.
It is simpler to install the cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one but you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door isn't easy but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish off 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 wind and rain.
The first step is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you will need. This will let you select a flap that is big enough to allow your pet to enter the house and leave without having to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark where on the door the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X. However, some kits come with an illustration that outlines where to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, 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 ensure that the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the steps are followed.
This is much simpler to do on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you may need to be more careful.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need locate a place near the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have this information you'll have to draw the area with 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 important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.
Cut a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have a lot of experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the job for you. A mistake could not only be ugly, but also pose security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and is flush with the rest of the door. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at the ready to smooth any edges.
Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any necessary safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is important that you only remove the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than that can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.
A door made of upvc may include a metal frame, or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're installing the cat flap onto the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame, you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap in it. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and let them relax in the house when they'd like. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have a glass panel which can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto the doors. cat flap installer near me 's not a simple matter of cutting holes in the door. You'll also need to perform a few steps to ensure that the door is safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models, from basic push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in the rain.
A circular fitting is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is especially important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who may be hurt by shards of glass.