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

Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc door panel replacement cat flap is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the proper tools.

Measure the Door

Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the instructions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then finish off the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap in upvc Door Panel flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the back door with cat flap fitted every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far either way.

If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill, then stick it on the door, and then use a pencil around it. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to start removing the remaining door material. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off 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 unwelcome gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. However, fitting an animal flap on your door could be an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many to hire an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors since this could cause damage to your warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of composite or a different type of door, you might require more care.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to locate a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information, you will need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you will create will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw as breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.

Cut a hole

It can be a challenge to put a cat flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark the location of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs flush with all the other parts of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on ready to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is important that you only remove the material that is required to fit the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting away too much could cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.

If the upvc door is made of metal, or has a frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the walls of the flap.

If you are fitting an animal flap to a upvc door or double glazing cat flap-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap in it. It is cheaper to have this done instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they're feeling like it. However, if you own a uPVC door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed upvc door panel with cat flap replacement panel, it is possible to install the cat flap. It's not as easy as simply making a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need first to make sure it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This type of door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models, from basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. Whatever type of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat flap fitters near me is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in bad weather.

It is a good idea to choose a circular fitting rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home that might be injured by glass fragments.