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

Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in glass doors, however it will require some expertise and the appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will help you mark the shape and use a jigsaw in order to cut out the door area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.

The first thing you need to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to let your pet leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door each time, yet small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements, you can mark out the area on the door where the template should be placed. usually this is done with an X, however some kits include 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 it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom of it ensure that you have enough space to ensure your cat flaps for french doors's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Utilize a set square to check that you are cutting correctly and ensure that the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you are able to start removing the rest of the door material. If you have a set square then 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 start to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them coming in with visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also prevents draughts, and helps keep your home's temperature steady. However, putting an animal flap on your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you have the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

This is much simpler to do with a wooden door, but it is still possible using uPVC. However you should be cautious not to damage the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However when your back door with cat flap fitted is composite or another type of door, you may require more care.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you'll need to find a spot on the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil so that you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.

Cut a hole

It can be difficult to fit an animal flap on a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have expertise in DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not just be ugly, but it could also be an issue for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape inside.

Mark the hole position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is best to only remove the material needed to make the flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.

A upvc door may include a metal frame, or panel which could block the microchip cat flap and in this case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and seal it with water.

If you want to install fitting a cat flap cat flap into windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames, you'll need to consult a specialist. They can offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that wasn't designed for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable at home whenever they'd like. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to install a cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own a glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to buy and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit the cat flap cover for winter flap to these doors. It's not as simple as just making a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel typically comprises an flimsy plastic outer layer bonded to a soft insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.

Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap. You can choose from a wide range of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever type of cat flaps you choose it is essential that your cat can utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting Cat flap in upvc door panel is more effective 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 when drilling is applied to it. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is particularly important if you have a child or elderly person in your home who could be hurt by shards of glass.