Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please, without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.
Installing fitting cat flap in upvc door panel repairmywindowsanddoors on a door panel made of Upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the right type and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut the door area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure the flap remains in place and shields the doors from the 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 let your pet go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to keep them from going too far either way.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then stick it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge then make sure you have clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Set a square to make sure you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can begin removing the remaining door material. Set the square with a ruler to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature in check. However, installing an animal flap on your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, leading many to hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care.
While this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you should be careful not to scratch the doors since this could end your warranty. First, you must measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, but you may require more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door as these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you know this then you be required to mark the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you create will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've finished the cutting process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap will fit easily in place.
Cut a hole
It can be a challenge to install a cat flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's probably best to get a professional to do the task for you. A mistake could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be a security threat. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when the cat is inside.
The first thing you have to do is mark the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is correctly located and is flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth any edges.
Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any necessary safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is essential to only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the gap and render it watertight.
If you are fitting a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap inside. This will be cheaper than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is particularly true in the event that you don't own glass panels that can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as simply making a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need first to ensure that it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow only your pet. However, no matter what type of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.
It is a good idea to choose circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drills are used on it. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or family. This is especially crucial if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.