Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting in the house.

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.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult however, provided that the cat flap in upvc door panel flap is the right type and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark out the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the area in the door and then finish off the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from wind and rain damaging the door.

The first thing you need to do is determine the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to let your pet enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to prevent them from going too far either way.

If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, then stick it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these because this will keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Set a square to ensure that you're cutting properly and to ensure the hole is a good rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can start removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the final result, you can take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet out and in without having to worry about them coming in with guests or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, fitting the cat flap to your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

It is much easier to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat flap step-flap. This should be simple enough if you are using an ordinary uPVC door, however you might need to take more care if using an insulated or composite door cat flap type of door as these can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you know this, you will need to mark out the area with a pencil and a spirit level to be sure that the hole you will make will be suitable for your cat flap double glazing.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to make the hole. You will need the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than uneven and rough, since it could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

Cut a Hole

Getting a cat flap fitted to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not experienced in DIY, it is best to hire an expert to do the work for you. A faulty job can not only be unsightly but also pose an security risk. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when the cat is inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

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

You should only remove the material that is required to create the flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the cat flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.

If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it may 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.

If you are fitting a cat flap into a upvc door panel cat flap door or double glazed window with a metal frame then you'll need to talk to a specialist who can provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade inside. This will be cheaper than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane that wasn't designed for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come whenever they want, allowing them the ability to unwind in the home whenever they feel like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it can be difficult to install a cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own a glass panel which can be cut. If you're able to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as cutting a hole in the door, however there are a few things you'll need to do first to make sure it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically includes a template which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it is time to install the cat flap. You can pick from a range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. Whatever type of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

It is a good idea to opt for a circular fitting rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a safer option to use as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children living in your home who could be hurt by glass fragments.