Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also can help to stop your cat from urinating in the house.

Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of 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 steps provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish off the job by securing the cat flap installation near me flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and shields the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you will need. This will let you select a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to go into the home and exit without needing to open the door each time.

Once you have the measurements you can mark the location on the door where the template should be positioned, typically 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 draw a line around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Use a set square to check that you're cutting properly and ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are happy with this, you can begin removing the rest of the door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home steady. However, fitting an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the instructions are followed.

This is much simpler to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors since this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. First, you must measure the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, but you may need to take more care if you have a composite door cat flap or other type of door as these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach, and you'll need find a spot on the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so you know the hole will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask whenever using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.

Cut a Hole

It can be difficult to fit a cat flap into the door panel or double glazing unit. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A botched job may not only be unsightly but it could also be a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.

Mark the hole position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use a power tool. If you are worried about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is best to only remove the material required to make the flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or damage the doors frame.

A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is important to fill in the oversize gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. This will be less expensive than fitting the flap into an existing pane that was not made for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and let them relax at home whenever they like. However, if you own a uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to fit one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to add an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole in the door, however there are some things you'll need first to ensure that it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically includes a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in the door.

Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap install flap. You can purchase and install various models that range from simple push-button operated models to microchip-activated ones that allow access only to your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in bad weather.

A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer choice to use since you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that may break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards glass.