Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
It is much easier to put the cat flap on a Upvc panel than on a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside the door can be a challenge but as long as you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will show how to trace the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will allow you to select a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements you can determine the location on the door where the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X, but some kits include a drawing that shows the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Set a square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can begin to remove the rest of the door material. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material correctly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the final result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home steady. However, fitting a cat flap in your door could be an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before, leading many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the directions are followed.
While this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you must be cautious not to damage the doors, as this can invalidate the warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough if you are using a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area on the door that will allow your pet to comfortably pass through. Once you have this information then you have to draw the area using pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it is time to cut the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a hole
The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be an issue for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on ready for any rough edges.
Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.
It is crucial to only cut away the material required to make the cat flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this case 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 upvc cat flap door panels are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed window with a metal frame then you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they're feeling like it. However, if you own a uPVC door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut for one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not as easy as making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to do first to make sure it's safe.
A composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type door comes with a template that can be used to cut the hole.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.
A circular fitting is better than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living at home who could be injured by glass shards.