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

Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat flap fitting near me flap on a door can be tricky but if you select the right kind of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape using the jigsaw to cut out the door area. Then we'll complete the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain causing damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you need, cat flaps measure the width of your pet. This will let you choose a cat flap in upvc door panel flap that is large enough for your pet to walk into the home and exit without having to open the door every time.

Once you have the measurements, you can mark out where on the door the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X, but some kits include a drawing that shows the location to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat flap fitting and these elements.

Put on your eye protection and dust mask and using a jigsaw start cutting along the line you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard, as this will make it cut faster than you want it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without worrying about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also prevents draughts, and helps to keep your home's temperature stable. Installing a cat flap on your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

While this is far simpler to accomplish when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors, though you must be cautious not to damage the doors as this will invalidate your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it is able to fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you may need to be more careful.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a place in the door where this measurement will fall within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to make the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily fitted into place.

Make a hole

It can be difficult to install a cat flap installers flap into a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to do the work for you. A mistake in the process may not just be ugly, but it could also be 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 you have to do is draw the position of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to the other components of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth out any rough edges.

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with an electric tool. If you're worried about noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.

It is essential to only remove the material that is required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but cutting off more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.

If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with walls of the flap.

If you're installing an animal flap to a upvc door or double glazed window with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap already drilled in it. It will be much cheaper to have this done than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the house when they like. If you have a upvc door panel cat flap front door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is especially the case in the event that you don't own an glass panel that is cut. If you're willing to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it's possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not a simple matter of drilling holes in the door. You'll also need to take a few steps to ensure that it is secure.

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

After you've marked the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models including basic push-button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.

A circular fitting is better than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have children or elderly people at home who could be injured by glass shattering.