Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet come and go whenever they want without you having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the home.
It is much easier to put a cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.
Take a measurement of the door
Installing a cat flap on the door isn't easy but if 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 be showing you how to draw the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then finish off the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.
The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is big enough to allow your pet to walk into the home and exit without having to open the door every time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill then you can place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom of it ensure that you have enough space to ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting according to the lines you've drawn in. Don't push the blade too hard, as this could cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. If you have a square that you have cut, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and keeps your home's temperature stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
Although this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors as this will cause damage to your warranty. First, cat flap installer near me need to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough when you have the standard uPVC door, however you may require more care if you have an alternative type of door since these are 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 measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a spot near the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have the information, you'll be required to mark the space using a spirit level and a pencil so you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.
Once you have marked out the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap will fit easily into place.
Make a hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you're not skilled in DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.
After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety equipment for working with a power tool. If you are worried about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.
It is crucial to only cut away the material needed for the fitment of the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you want to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames it is necessary to speak with an expert. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is cheaper to have this done than to attempt to fix the flap to an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be hard to install a cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own a glass panel which can be cut. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to add a cat flap. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure that it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models, from basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the kind of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.
It's a good idea select a circular fitting rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a safer option to use as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.