Cat flaps allow your pet leave and come whenever they want, without you needing to let them in or out. They also prevent your cat from urinating inside the house.<br /><br />Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door panel is much easier than in a glass door, but it will require some expertise and the proper tools.<br /><br />Take a measurement of the door<br /><br />Installing a cat flap on a door can be tricky but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the area in the door and then finish the job by securing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap stays in position and protects the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.<br /><br />The first thing to do is determine the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving too far either way.<br /><br />If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, you can place it on the door and then use a pencil around it. If your door has sill or moulding along the bottom edge then make sure you have enough clearance from these to keep your cat safe and will prevent them from getting access to your home.<br /><br />Then put on your eye protection and dust mask. Then using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line that you penciled in, but don't push the blade too hard, as this can cause it to cut faster than you want it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are happy with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.<br /><br />Draw a Line<br /><br /><br /><br />The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. The installation of a cat flap your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the work. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to complete the task yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.<br /><br />It is much easier to accomplish on a wooden door, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will accommodate the new cat flap. This should be simple enough for the standard uPVC door, however you may require extra care if you are using a composite or other kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.<br /><br />Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you know this, you will be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level to ensure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.<br /><br />After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is crucial to be patient and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.<br /><br />Cut a Hole<br /><br />The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. <a href="https://lauridsen-bullard.hubstack.net/upvc-door-panels-with-cat-flap-1728128343">More methods</a> might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless you have a lot of experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only look ugly, but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.<br /><br />Mark the hole's position on the door with the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on ready to smooth out any rough edges.<br /><br />Wear the safety equipment you'll need to use the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can purchase an electric jigsaw that is quieter and more user-friendly.<br /><br />You should only remove the material required to make the flap. <a href="https://svendsen-franks-3.blogbright.net/cat-flap-glass-door-installation-near-me-1728128390">his explanation</a> of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the cat flap itself but cutting off more than this could cause issues and cause damage to the door frame.<br /><br />If the upvc door has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't come into contact with walls of the flap.<br /><br />If you are fitting an animal flap to the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be cheaper than trying to fit the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.<br /><br />Fit the Flap<br /><br />Cat flaps let your pet move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they feel like it. If you've got an uPVC door it can be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure it's secure.<br /><br />A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically composed of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.<br /><br />Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can pick from a range of options, from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.<br /><br />It is a good idea to select circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles can be 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 don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that might break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be hurt by shards of glass.<br /><br />