Cat flaps let your pet move around as they please without having to let them in or out. They can also help keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom inside the house.

It is simpler to install a cat flap on a upvc door panel replacement cat flap panel than one made of glass however, you'll require some knowledge and appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape using a jigsaw in order to cut the door area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap is in place and protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. This will let you select a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to enter the house and leave without having to open the door every time.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then place it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Use a set square to ensure that you are cutting correctly and fitting cat flap in upvc door panel ensure that the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you can begin removing the remaining door material. If you have an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangular 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 in and out without worrying about them being in the house with guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and keeps your home's temperature in check. However, installing an animal flap on your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before. This can lead many people to call an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the steps are followed.

While this is much simpler when using 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 invalidate the warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you may need to be more careful.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you'll need to find a spot on the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat can comfortably pass through wall cat flap. Once you have this information, you will be required to mark the area using a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to cut out the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw in order to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask at all times when using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be harmful to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted.

Cut a Hole

It isn't easy to install the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. It is tempting to do it yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the job for you. A botched job may not only be unsightly 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 once inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.

It is essential to only remove the material needed for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than this could cause issues and damage the doors frame.

A upvc door may contain a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap and if this is the case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal does not get in contact with the the cat flap, if this is done, it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you want to install a cat flap into a upvc or double-glazed window with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to an expert. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass with the hole that is already designed for the cat flap. It is much less expensive to do this than trying to fix a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet come and go as they please, giving them the freedom to relax in the home whenever they feel like it. However, if you have an upvc door panels cat flap door, it might be difficult to fit an animal flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that could be cut for one. If you're willing to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto these doors. It's not as easy as just cutting a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure it's secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is quite fragile and care should be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door has a template you can use to make the hole.

After you have marked out the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (you can try this out) flap. You can buy and fitting Cat flap in upvc door panel fit various models that range from simple push-button operated models to ones that are activated by microchips that allow only your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap and not get trapped outside in bad weather.

It's a good idea to choose circular fittings instead of one that is square, because circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.