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Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please 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 the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, but it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap inside a door can be tricky but if you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the instructions provided it should not prove to be too much trouble. We will show you how to draw the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the area in the door and then finish the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without needing to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to stop them from moving too far either way.

Once you have the measurements, you can determine the location on the door where the template should be positioned, usually this is done with an X, but some kits include a drawing that shows where to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw begin cutting according to the lines you penciled in, but don't press the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut faster than you want it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are satisfied 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 out and in without worrying about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature steady. The installation of a cat flap your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. A lot of people will hire an expert joiner or carpenter to do the work. This is an option but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are right and the directions are adhered to.


This is much easier to do with a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it can fit 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 have to be more cautious.

The next step is to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you will need to locate a place near the door that will be within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you know this, you will have to draw the area using pencil and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is crucial to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. doors with cat flap could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. After you've finished the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily in place.

Cut a Hole

It isn't easy to put the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have a lot of experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have an expert to complete the job for you. A shoddy job might not only be unsightly 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.

Mark the hole position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is positioned correctly and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.

Once the line has been traced, you must cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with a power tool. If you're worried about the noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is more quiet and easy to use.

It is essential to only cut away the material needed to make the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.

A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap in this case you'll need to make an oversize hole so that the metal does not come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is the case, it is important to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you are fitting the cat flap onto the frame of a double glazed window with a frame made of metal, you'll need to speak to a professional who will provide you with a brand new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. It is cheaper to do this instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want, allowing them to relax at home whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in a cat flap. This is especially true in the event that you don't own glass panels that can be cut. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not as easy as making a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that 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 base. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in your door.

Once you have marked the location of the hole in your door, it's time to fit the cat flap itself. You can purchase and install a wide variety of different models that range from simple button operated ones to ones that are activated by microchips that only let in your pet. However, no matter what type of cat flap you pick, it's important to make sure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without becoming trapped in the weather.

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 break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option, as you won't have to drill into the toughened glass which could break and hurt your pet or your family members. This is especially crucial if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards glass.

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