Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from peeing in the home.
It is much easier to put a cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some knowledge and right tools.
Take a measurement of the door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult however, so long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then complete the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to prevent the pet from straying too far in either direction.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed, usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits include an illustration that outlines the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge then make sure you have enough clearance from these because this will ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.
Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line you penciled in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go in and out without having to worry about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also helps prevent draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. Installing a cat flap on your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are in order and the instructions are followed.
While this is much simpler with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, though you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors since this could end the warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you might need to be more careful.
Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to find an area at the entrance that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you know this, you will be required to mark the area using pencil and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.
Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire a professional to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be an issue for security and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly placed and runs flush with all the other components of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.
Wear the safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is best to only remove the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap but cutting off more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.
A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to make an oversize hole to ensure the metal does not get in 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're planning to install a cat flap inside a upvc or double-glazed window with metal frames, you'll need to consult an expert. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather instead of trying to install the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for this purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable at home whenever they want to. However, if you own a uPVC door it can be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly if you don't own glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install a cat flap. It's not as easy as simply cutting a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer that is bonded to a soft, polystyrene insulating core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap. You can pick from a range of options, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and only let your pet in. But, regardless of upvc door panels with cat flap of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.
It's a good idea to select circular fittings instead of one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. This is also a safer option since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and cause harm to your pet or your family members. This is especially important if there are children or elderly people in your home who could be injured by glass fragments.