Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go at their own pace, without you having to let him in or out. They also prevent your cat flap step from urinating inside the home.

It is simpler to install an animal flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one, but you will need some skills and the appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but so long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then finish the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will enable you to select a flap that is large enough for your pet to go into the house and leave without needing to open the door every time.

Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X, but some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom of it then make sure you have enough clearance from these to keep your cat flap in upvc door panel (click here to visit Rust Client for free) safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw start to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in. Don't press the blade too hard, as this can make it cut faster 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 cut is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you can remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home steady. Fitting a cat flap cost flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the work. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

Although this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will cause damage to your warranty. First, you must examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you might require more care.

The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you'll need find a place on the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when working with the jigsaw as inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.

Make a hole

The process of fitting a cat flap in upvc door cost flap into an existing door panel or double glazing cat flap glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it is best to hire a professional to do the work for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

Mark the hole position on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and is flush with the door's other parts. You should make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth any edges.

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.

It is best to only remove the material needed to fit the flap. It is necessary to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is important to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're installing an animal flap to a upvc door or double glazed windows with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. This will be less expensive than trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to install a cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own a glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not just a matter of cutting a hole into the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is crucial to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat flap installers can use the flap without getting stuck in bad weather.

It's a good idea opt for circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into the door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. 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 your family members. This is especially important if you have a young or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards glass.