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 also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is a lot easier than a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be a problem. We will help you draw the shape and then use an jigsaw to cut the door area. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.
To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to stop them from moving too far either way.
Once you have the measurements you can mark the area on the door where the template should be placed. typically this is done using an X, but some kits come with an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.
Set a square to ensure that you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you are able to begin removing the remaining door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature steady. The installation of a cat flap your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the instructions are adhered to.
While cat flap in upvc door cost is far easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will invalidate the warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take extra care if you are using a composite or other kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit level and a pencil so that you know the hole will be suitable for your cat.
After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is essential to be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Cut a Hole
It isn't easy to install a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless have expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have 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 hole's location should be marked on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at hand for any rough edges.
Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment when working with an electric tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.
You should only remove the material that is required to make the flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause problems or even damage the door frame.
A door made of upvc could include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap in this case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the the cat flap, if this is done it is crucial to fill in the gap and seal it with water.
If you are fitting an animal flap to an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who can supply you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap in it. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than trying to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is especially the case when you don't have a glass panel which can be cut. If you're willing to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit an animal flap onto the doors. It's not a matter of cutting an opening in the door. You'll also have to do a few things to ensure that it is safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in the door.
After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to microchip activated ones that only let your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could break and cause harm to your pet or your family members. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who could be hurt by glass fragments.