Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet come and go as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.
Installing a cat flap on a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to keep the pet from straying too far either way.
Once you have the measurements you can mark the area on the door where the template should be placed, usually, this is done using an X, but some kits come with drawings that show 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 a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.
Then put on your eye protection and dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin cutting according to the lines you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you want it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you're cutting the material correctly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to take the door material off.
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 unwanted gifts inside the home. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature in your home stable. The installation of a cat flap your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the work. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care.
This is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough when you have the standard uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if using an alternative type of door since these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you've got the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.
Make a hole
Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when the cat is inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and runs flush with the door's other parts. It is important to have an sandpaper piece on ready for any rough edges.
After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with an electric tool. If Repair My Windows And Doors worried about noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and more user-friendly.
You should only remove the material required to make the flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that could cause issues and cause damage to the door 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 over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the walls of the flap.
If you are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a professional who can supply 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 the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind inside the house when they want to. However, if you own an uPVC door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut for one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not a simple matter of drilling holes in the door. You'll also have to perform a few steps to ensure that the door is safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically includes a template that you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in the door.
Once you've marked the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can choose from a range of options, from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather.
It is a good idea to select circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is 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 that could break and cause harm to your pet or family. This is particularly important if there are children or elderly people in your home who could be hurt by glass fragments.