Cat flaps let your cat leave and come back as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They also can help to keep your cat from having to go to the bathroom in the house.

It is much easier to put a cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one but you'll require some expertise and right tools.

Measure the Door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door can be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the guidelines you can make it less difficult. We will show you how to mark the shape and use the jigsaw to cut the door area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from rain and wind damaging the door.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without having to open and close the door each time, but also small enough to stop the pet from straying too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements you can mark out where on the door the template should be positioned, usually, this is done using an X. However, some kits come with an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line 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.

Set a square to check that you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. Once you are happy with the result, you can begin removing the remaining door material. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to check that you are cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to take off the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet in and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. However, putting the cat flap to your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before. This can lead many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. While this is definitely an option, it is possible to do the job yourself if you have the right tools and follow the instructions with care.

While this is far simpler when using a timber door it is still feasible in upvc door panels with cat flap doors - although you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors, as this can cause damage to your warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to make sure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you might have to be more cautious.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's stomach. This is the amount of height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to find an area on the door that will allow your pet to pass through comfortably. Once you have this information, you will have to draw the area with a pencil and a spirit level to be certain that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.

After you've marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is crucial to take your time in order to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth, rather than uneven and rough, as this could damage your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever using the jigsaw, as inhaling the sawdust could be harmful to your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will need sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted into the hole.

Cut a hole

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

The first thing you have to do is mark the position of the hole in the door with an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly located and is parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure to have sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear any safety gear you require when working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is quieter and simpler to use.

It is crucial to only remove the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. A small amount of material will be required for the thickness of the the flap, but cutting off more than this can cause problems and even damage the doors frame.

A door made of upvc may have a metal frame or a panel inside which could block the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the gap and seal it with water.

If you are fitting the cat flap onto a upvc door or double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap inside. This is less expensive than trying to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house whenever they want to. If you have an uPVC front door, it might be hard to install the cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own an glass panel that can be cut. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to add an animal flap onto these doors. It's not a matter of slicing holes in the door. It is also necessary to do a few things to ensure it's safe.

A uPVC, GRP or composite door panel is typically made up of a flimsy plastic outer skin joined to a soft polystyrene insulating core. The material is fairly fragile and care must be taken when cutting through wall cat flap it to avoid causing damage. This type of door typically includes a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.

Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, it's time to install the flap. You can pick from a range of options, from simple push-button units to ones that are microchip-activated and allow only your pet to enter. No matter which type of cat flap installation near me flaps you choose it's essential that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting stuck in the rain.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel is superior than a square one, as circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass which could shatter and harm your pet or family. This is particularly important if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.