Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go at their own pace without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating in the home.

It is much easier to put a cat flap on a upvc panel than a glass one but you'll need some skills and the correct tools.

Measure the Door

Installing a cat door into a front door could be difficult, but provided that the cat flap is the right type and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show how to trace the shape, use an jigsaw for cutting out the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain damaging the door.

The first thing 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 large enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open or close the door each time, but it is also small enough to stop them from moving too far in either direction.

If your kit has a drawing showing where to drill, you can stick it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it then make sure you have clearance from these as this will keep your cat safe and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and dust mask, and using a jigsaw start to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in, but don't press the blade too hard, as this will cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. Set the square with a ruler to ensure you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are happy with the result, you are able to take the door material off.

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 a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts inside the house. It also stops draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature in check. However, putting the cat flap to your door might seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, which is why many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.

This is much easier to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to harm the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be simple enough when you have an ordinary uPVC door, but you might need to take more care if using a composite door cat flap or other type of door since these are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance between the floor and the bottom of your cat flap cover for winter's stomach. It is important to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you have the information you'll need to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.

After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to take your time and use a jigsaw ensure the cuts are clean and smooth, not rough and uneven. This could damage your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever using the jigsaw, as breathing in the dust could be hazardous to your health. Once you have completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily in place.

Cut a hole

Installing a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit is quite difficult. If you're not experienced in DIY, it is recommended to hire an expert to do the job for you. A shoddy job might not just be ugly, but it could also be a security risk and also allow cold air to get in when the cat is outside, and hot air to escape when inside.

Mark the hole position on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned correctly and runs flush with the rest of the door. It is important to have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any edges.

Once the line has been drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.

It is essential to only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the cat flap installation in glass doors near me flap itself but removing more than this can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.

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

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

Place the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable in the home whenever they like. However, if you have an uPVC door it can be difficult to install an animal flap, especially when you don't have glass panes that could be cut to accommodate one. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install the cat flap. It's not a matter of slicing an opening in the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure that it is safe.

A composite door cat flap, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. It is crucial to be cautious when cutting the material. This type of door usually has a template that you can use as a reference to cut the hole in the door.

After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can pick from a range of designs, from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting cat flap in upvc door panel is more effective than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer choice to use since you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if you have a child or elderly person in your home who could be injured by shards glass.