Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want without needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is a lot easier than glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the right tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in the door can be a challenge but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.
The first thing to do is determine the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door every time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far in either direction.
If your kit comes with a drawing showing where to drill, you can place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to press the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. Use a set square to ensure you are 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 in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
This is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you must examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary 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 into than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you've got the information, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it is time to make the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is crucial to be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust could be hazardous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily into place.
Cut a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A botched job may not only look ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs parallel to other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on ready to smooth any edges.
Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is crucial to only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the door frame.
A upvc door may contain a metal frame or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a brand new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap premade inside. This is less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap in an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and let them relax at home whenever they like. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. This is particularly true when you don't have glass panels which can be cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not a simple matter of slicing holes in the door. It is also necessary to take a few steps to ensure that the door is safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally comprised of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door has a template you can use to make the hole.
After cat flap fitting have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models including basic push-button operated ones to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.
It's a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.