Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet move around at their own pace without needing to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.

Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

Fitting Cat Flap In Upvc Door Panel a cat flap in a door can be tricky however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we will finish the job by affixing the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. This will allow you to select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the home and exit without having to open the door every time.

Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X, but some kits include a drawing that shows the location to drill, if yours does then 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 that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Utilize a set 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 to remove the rest of the door material. If you own a set square then make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. The installation of a cat flap your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

While this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you must be cautious not to damage the doors as this will end the warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it is able to be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult when you have the standard uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if using a composite or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate a space on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have this information you'll have to draw the area with pencil and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat flap fitting near me.

After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is essential 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. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.

Cut a Hole

Installing 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 have experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have an expert to complete the task for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly placed and runs in a straight line with other parts of the door. You should make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth any edges.

Wear the safety equipment you need to work with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.

You should only remove the material required to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than this can cause problems and even cause damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc could have a metal frame or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap if this is the case, you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you want to install a cat flap in a double-glazed or upvc window with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They can offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to do this than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and let them relax in the house when they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it may be hard to install a cat flap. This is especially true if you do not own glass panels that can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed upvc door panel replacement cat flap replacement panel, it is possible to add the cat flap. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure that it's secure.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. It is essential to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door usually includes a template which you can use as a guide for cutting the hole in the door.

Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a variety of options, from simple push-button flaps to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. No matter which type of cat flap cost flaps you select it's essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in bad weather.

It's a good idea opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. This is also a safer option since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living in your home who might be injured by glass fragments.