Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come as they please, without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the home.
Installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap in a front door can be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, then use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.
To determine the size of the cat flap you need, measure the width of your pet. This will allow you to select a flap that is large enough for your pet to enter the house and leave without having to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements you can mark the location on the door where the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X, however some kits include 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, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Put on cat flap installation and dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line that you penciled in, but don't press the blade too hard as this can make it cut faster than you'd like it to. If you own a set square then make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature of your home stable. However, fitting an animal flap on your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.
While this is far easier to do with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you should be careful not to scratch the doors since this could end your warranty. First, you need to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However, if your door is composite or another type of door, you may require more care.
The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a place near the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've got the information you'll have to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you'll have to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in 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 is best to employ an expert to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also an issue 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 the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and is flush with the door's other parts. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety gear you need to work with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase an electric version that is much quieter and easier to use.
It is important that you only cut away the material required to fit the cat flap. It is essential to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.
A upvc door may have a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with the the cat flap, if this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the gap and make it watertight.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap in it. This will be cheaper than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps let your pet move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially true in the event that you don't own glass panels which can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit the cat flap to these doors. It's not as easy as cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's safe.
A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference for cutting the hole in your door.
Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit many different models including basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck in the rain.
It's a good idea opt for circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. It's also a safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that may break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have young or elderly person in your home who could be hurt by shards of glass.