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Cat flaps allow your pet come and go whenever they want without having to let him in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from urinating in the house.

Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat door in a front door could be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is the right type and you follow the directions it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape, using an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then finish off the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the door from rain and wind causing damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, measure the width of your pet. 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 stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.

If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill then you can put it on the door, and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and these elements.

Put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin cutting along the line that you have pencilled in, don't try to press the blade too hard, as this will cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you own a set square then make use of it to verify whether you're cutting in the right way and also to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to let your pet in and out without having to worry about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home stable. However, fitting an animal flap on your door could be an intimidating task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

While this is much simpler when using a timber door it is still possible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very careful to avoid damaging the doors, as this can end your warranty. First, you must take measurements of the door to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough for the standard uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut into than solid uPVC panels.





The next step is to measure the size of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. It is important to locate an area at the entrance that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you have the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so that you are sure that the opening will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to make the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw can be dangerous to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

Make a hole

It can be a challenge to install the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless have plenty of experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the job for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but also a security risk as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.

The first thing to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is properly located and is flush with all other parts of the door. You should make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you require when working with an electric tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by 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 fit the cat flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the wall of the flap but cutting off more than this can cause problems or cause damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or a panel inside that will interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not touch the wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is essential to fill in the gap and make it watertight.

If upvc cat flap door panels looking to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will offer you a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already made for the cat flap. This is less expensive than trying to install the flap into an existing pane of glass that was not made for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they like. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, particularly in the absence of glass panes that can be cut for one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to add a cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's secure.

A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is usually comprised of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This kind of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in your door.

Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can pick from a wide range of models, ranging from simple push-button flaps to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. No matter which type of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting is superior than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. It's because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.