Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back as they please without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating inside the house.

fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap fitters flap in the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, but it does require some skills and the proper tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat door into the front door is difficult, but as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then complete the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without having to open and close the door each time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far either way.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then put it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Next put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting according to the lines you've drawn in. Don't press the blade too hard, as this will make it cut faster than you want it to. If you have a set square then use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature of your home stable. fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap to your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't tried it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very cautious not to damage the doors, as this can end the warranty. The first step is to examine the door's measurements to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you may have to be more cautious.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area on the door that allows your cat to pass through comfortably. Once you have the information, you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've cut the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.

Cut a hole

It can be difficult to install an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A faulty job can not only be ugly but also pose a security threat. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when it is inside.

The first thing you need to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs parallel to the other components of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on ready to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any necessary safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.

You should only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is necessary 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 to the frame of the door.

If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the flap.

If you're looking to install a cat flap into a double-glazed or upvc window cat flap with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with an expert. They can provide you with a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they want to. However, if you have a uPVC door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add an animal flap onto these doors. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure that the door is secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically composed of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap. You can buy and fit many different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you pick, it is essential to ensure that your cat flap installation cost can comfortably use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.

It's a good idea select a circular fitting rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer choice, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children at home who might be injured by glass shattering.