Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting in the house.

Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the appropriate tools.

Measure the Door

Fitting a cat flap in a door can be tricky but as long as you choose the right type of cat flap, take your time and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be a problem. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we'll complete the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you will require. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can go inside and out of the house without needing to open and close the door every time, but also small enough to stop them from going too far either way.

If your kit has an illustration of where to drill, you can place it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, be sure you leave plenty of space between your cat and the moulding or sill.

Put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start cutting along the line you penciled in, don't try to press the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can take out the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them being a nuisance to guests or leaving unwanted gifts in the home. It also helps prevent draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people will call an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to do the work yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions with care.

It is much easier to do on wooden doors, but it is still possible using uPVC. However it is important to be cautious not to scratch the doors because this will invalidate your guarantee. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However, if your door is composite or a different type of door, you may need to be more careful.

The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the bottom of the cat's stomach and you'll need to locate a place near the door that will be within the range your pet can comfortably go through. Once you've got the information you'll need to mark the area using a spirit level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the opening will fit your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. You will require the jigsaw, and it is important that you take your time to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth instead of uneven and rough, as it could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask when using the jigsaw, Fitting a cat flap since breathing in the dust can be dangerous to your health. After you've cut the hole, you'll require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap installation flap can be easily inserted into the hole.

Make a hole

The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have plenty of experience in DIY it is probably best to get a professional in to do the task for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but also an enigma for security and also allow cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape inside.

The first thing you have to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using pencil and an ax level. This will ensure that it is located and is in a straight line with the other parts of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper in your possession to smooth any rough edges.

After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety gear for working with the power tool. If you are worried about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying a cordless version which is much quieter and easier to use.

You should only remove the material needed to fit the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause issues or even damage the frame of the door.

If the upvc door features a metal panel or frame, it may interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to create an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not get in contact with the walls of the flap.

If you're looking to install a cat flap into a double glazing cat flap-glazed or upvc window with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with an expert. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. This will be less expensive than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Fit the Flap

cat flap in bifold doors flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable at home whenever they like. If you've got an uPVC door, it might be difficult to fit a cat flap, particularly in the absence of glass panes that can be cut for one. If you're able to buy and install a replacement half-glazed uPVC panel, it's possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not just a matter of cutting a hole into the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure that the door is secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type door has a template you can use to make the hole.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to fit the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit various models, from basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. However, regardless of what kind of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can comfortably use the flap without getting trapped outside in bad weather.

A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer option as you're not putting yourself at risk by drilling into toughened glass that might break and hurt your pet or your family. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards glass.