Cat flaps let your pet move around whenever they want, 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 a door panel made of upvc cat flap door panels is much easier than in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the right tools.

Take a look at the Door

Fitting a cat door in a front door can be difficult, but as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will help you draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by affixing the flap. This will ensure that the flap is in place and shields the doors from the damage caused by rain and wind.

The first thing you need to do is measure the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough to allow your pet to enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, yet small enough to prevent them from going too far either way.

If your kit comes with an illustration of where 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 ensure that you have enough clearance from these because this will ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin cutting according to the lines you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard, as this will cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the hole is a rectangle. When you are satisfied with the result, you can remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap fitting near me flap lets you to let your pet in and outside without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature in your home stable. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting to those who haven't tried it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself if the tools are right and the instructions are followed.

It is much easier to do on wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door, ensuring that it can fit the new cat flap. This isn't too difficult for a standard uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite type of door as these can be more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is 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'll need find a spot in the door where this measurement is within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've figured out the measurements, you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so you know the hole will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's now time to cut the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is crucial to take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you have finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.

Cut a Hole

It can be a challenge to install an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you're not proficient in DIY, it's best to hire a professional to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but also an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door using pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is flush with all other parts of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you need to work with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is best to only remove the material needed to create the cat flap in upvc door panel (look at this now) flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the flap but removing more than this can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.

If the door is made of upvc and has a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.

If you're installing a cat flap into the frame of a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a brand new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It will be much cheaper to do this than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass cat flap installation near me that has not been manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax in the house when they want to. However, if you own an uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you're willing to purchase and install a new half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to fit the cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as making a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need first to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically has a template that you can use as a guide to cut the hole into the door.

After you have marked out the opening in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models including basic button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you choose it's crucial to ensure that your cat flap fitters can comfortably use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

It's a good idea select circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles can be more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if there are elderly or children living at home who could be hurt by glass fragments.