Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating in the home.

Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, however it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat flap insulation flap on a door can be tricky but if you select the right kind of cat flap, take your time and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape, use a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then complete the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door each time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can mark the area on the door where the template should be placed, usually this is done with an X, however some kits come with an illustration that outlines the location to drill, if you have one, then attach it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, be sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask and using a jigsaw, begin cutting according to the lines you have pencilled in. Don't push the blade too hard as this will make it cut faster than you'd like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them being a nuisance to a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also prevents drafts and helps keep the temperature of your home steady. However, fitting a cat flap in your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, which is why many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions carefully.

While this is far simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you must be careful not to scratch the doors, as this can end 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. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it should be a breeze. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might require more care.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. 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 will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you know this then you need to mark out the area using a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you create will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw 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 a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap installation cost flap can be easily inserted.

Cut a Hole

Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it is best to employ a professional to complete the job for you. A botched job may not only be unsightly but also an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing to do is draw the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs parallel to the other parts of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on ready to smooth any edges.

Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a cordless jigsaw which is more quiet and easy to use.

It is essential to only remove the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is important to leave a little extra material for the wall thickness of the cat flap fitters near me flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.

If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the walls of the flap.

If you're planning to install the cat flap onto an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It is cheaper to get this done rather than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they feel like it. However, if you own an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, especially in the absence of a glass pane that can be cut to fit one. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install the cat flap in bifold doors flap. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole in the door though and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to make sure it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft polystyrene core that is insulating. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type door has a template you can use to cut the hole.

After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button units to microchip activated ones that only let your pet in. Whatever type of cat flap in Upvc door panel flaps you select it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap without getting caught in bad weather.

A circular fitting is better than a square because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking if drills are used on it. It's also a safer choice to use since you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or your family. This is especially important if there are elderly or children in your home that might be injured by glass shattering.