Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, without you having to let him in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the home.

Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc is much easier than in glass doors, however it requires some knowledge and the right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat door in the front door is difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the directions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, using the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then finish the job by securing the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and protects the doors from the damage caused by wind and rain.

The first thing to do is measure the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the home and exit without having to open the door each time.

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

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line that you have pencilled in. Don't press the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you'd like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take the door material off.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without worrying about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.

Although this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you should be careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can 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 isn't too difficult for the standard uPVC door, however you may require more care if you have a composite or other type of door as these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space on the door that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you know this then you have to draw the area with an eraser and a spirit level so that you can 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. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw in order to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when working with the jigsaw as dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

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Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.

Mark the hole position on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and aligns with the door's other parts. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.

After the line is marked you should cut out the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any necessary safety equipment when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is crucial to only cut away the material required to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be required for the thickness of the the flap but removing more than that can cause problems and even harm the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the the cat flap. If this is the case, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.

If you're planning to install an animal flap to a upvc door or double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a professional who will provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix 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 come and go at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house when they feel like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is particularly true in the event that you don't own glass panels which can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it is possible to install an additional cat flap. It's not a simple matter of slicing holes in the door. You'll also have to perform a few steps to ensure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This kind door has a template you can use to cut the hole.

Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to install the flap itself. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to microchip-activated ones that only let your pet in. No matter which type of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in bad weather.

A circular fitting is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards glass.
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