Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.

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

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat door into a front door can be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in position and shields the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. 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 every time, yet small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill, then put it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom of it then make sure you have clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Set a square to make sure you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin to remove the remaining door material. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you are cutting correctly and to ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap cost flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them coming in with guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. However, installing an animal flap on your door could be an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the steps are followed.

While this is much easier to do with a wooden door, it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you must be cautious not to damage the doors, as this can invalidate the warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This isn't too difficult when you have a standard uPVC door, but you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite door cat flap kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat flap in upvc door panel's stomach. You'll need to find an area on the door that will allow your pet to move through easily. Once you have the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so that you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to cut out the hole. You will need to use an jigsaw. It is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight rather than rough and uneven, as it could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily fitted into place.

Make a hole

It can be a challenge to put a cat flap fitters flap into a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have an expert to complete the task for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing you have to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is placed and runs flush with all the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on the ready to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear any safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a jigsaw with a cord that is more quiet and easy to use.

It is crucial to only cut away the material needed for the fitment of the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage to the door frame.

If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this case, you will need to make an oversize hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with walls of the flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. This is less expensive than trying to fit the flap into an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the home whenever they want to. If you've got an uPVC door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut for one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not as simple as just making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.

Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it is essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.

It is a good idea to opt for circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they're drilled. It's also a safer option as you're not at risk of having to drill into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children at home who might be injured by glass fragments.