Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating in the house.

Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult however, provided that the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then complete the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.

The first thing you need to do is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet go inside and out of the house without having to open or close the door every time, yet small enough to prevent them from moving too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can mark the area on the door where the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X, however some kits come with a drawing that shows where to drill. If you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. 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.

Put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line that you penciled in, but don't press the blade too hard as this could cause it to cut faster than you want it to. Utilize 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 remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home stable. However, putting a cat flap in your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, which is why many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job instead. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are in order and the instructions are followed.

This is much easier to do on doors made of wood, however it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it will fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you may need to be more careful.

The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach and you'll need find a spot on the door that will be within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you know the opening will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need a jigsaw and it is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than uneven and rough, since this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.

Cut a Hole

Installing a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, 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 you need to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.

Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole using a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can purchase a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.

You should only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.

If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.

If you want to install a cat flap into a double-glazed or upvc window with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They will provide you with a new piece of glass with the hole already made for the cat flap. This will be less expensive than fitting a cat flap in an existing pane that wasn't designed for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own a glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto the doors. It's not just a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also have to do a few things to ensure that the door is secure.

A composite, upvc door panel with cat flap or GRP door panel is generally made up of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This kind of door has a template you can use to make the hole.

After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap fitting flap. You can pick from a variety of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. However, regardless of what type of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat flap installation bristol can comfortably use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.

It's a good idea to opt for a circular fitting cat flap in replacement upvc door panels with cat flap door Fitting cat flap In upvc door Panel panel (mouse click for source) rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are children or elderly people at home who could be hurt by glass shards.