Cat flaps allow your pet to go inside and out as they please without you having to let them in or out. They can also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

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

Take a look at the Door

Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will be showing how much to install a cat flap to trace the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then finish off the job by securing 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.

The first thing to do is determine the width of your pet in order to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door each time, but it is also small enough to keep the pet from straying too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X. However, some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge of it ensure that you have enough clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Use a set square to check that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you are able to begin to remove the remaining door material. If you own an already-cut square, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet go inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home steady. However, fitting an animal flap on your door could be an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is an option but you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are followed.

This is much simpler to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will fit the new cat flap installers flap. This should be simple enough if you are using a standard uPVC door, however you may require extra care if you are using a composite or other kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you've got the information, you'll need to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.

Make 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 plenty of experience in DIY it is recommended to hire a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake could not only look ugly but also pose an security risk. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when inside.

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

Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can get an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.

It is best to only remove the material required to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the door frame.

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

If you're installing a cat flap into an upvc door or a double glazed window with cat flap with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a professional who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap cost near me flap already drilled inside. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather instead of trying to install the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they're feeling like it. If you've got a uPVC door it can be difficult to put in an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that could be cut to fit one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install a cat flap. It's not as simple as cutting a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need first to make sure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally made up of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can pick from a wide range of options, from simple push-button models to ones that are microchip-activated and allow your pet in. However, no matter what kind of cat flap you select, it's crucial to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes leave the glass vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children at home who might be injured by glass shattering.