Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

cat flap fitters flaps allow your pet to leave and come back at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the home.

It is easier to install a cat flap on a upvc panel than on a glass one but you'll require some expertise and appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy but if you select the right kind of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

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

Once you have the measurements you can mark where on the door the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X, but some kits include an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom of it then make sure you have clearance from these to keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin to cut along the line that you've drawn in, don't try to press the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are happy with the 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 coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home stable. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the directions are adhered to.

This is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough for a standard uPVC door, but you may need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the height from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need find a place near the door where this measurement is within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you have this information, you will need to mark out the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you create will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it is 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 rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Cut a Hole

Installing a cat flap in upvc door panel (read this article) flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have plenty of expertise in DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but also an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

The first thing to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is located and is parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand for any rough edges.

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase an electric version that is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is essential to only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is important to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.

If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario 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 you're installing an animal flap to an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap insulation flap premade in it. It is cheaper to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they want to. However, if you have a uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, especially when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not as easy as making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's secure.

A composite, upvc cat flap door panels, or GRP door panel is typically made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This type of door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.

Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap. You can pick from a variety of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that only let your pet in. Whatever type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting caught in the rain.

It's a good idea to select circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children at home who could be hurt by glass fragments.