Wanda Higbee

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

It is much easier to put a cat flap in upvc door panel flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll need some skills and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door could be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will demonstrate how much to install a cat flap to mark the shape and use the jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you'll need. This will enable you to select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the house and leave without having to open the door every time.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, you can put it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask, and using a jigsaw start cutting according to the lines you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are happy with the result, you can take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet go inside and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature in your home steady. The installation of a cat flap your door may seem daunting to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.

While this is much simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors, but you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors as this will invalidate the warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you may require extra care if you are using an insulated or composite type of door since these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information then you have to draw the area with pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat.

After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will need an jigsaw. It is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean instead of rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when 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 fitted into place.

Make a hole

It isn't easy to fit an animal flap on the door panel or double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional in to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.

Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety gear for working with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is important that you only cut away the material needed to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover 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 may contain a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap and in this case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install a cat flap in upvc door panel flap in a double-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal, you'll need to consult a specialist. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap in upvc door panel flap. This is less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap in an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the ability to unwind inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. However, if you have an upvc cat flap door panels door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add an additional cat flap. It's not a simple matter of cutting a hole into the door. You'll also need to do a few things to ensure it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually has a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a variety of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. However, regardless of what type of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped in the weather.

It is a good idea to select circular fittings rather than one that is square, because circles can be more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a safer option to use as you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have a child or an elderly person living in your home who could be hurt by shards of glass.