Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without needing to let them in or out. They also can help to prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.

It is simpler to install an animal flap on a upvc panel than a glass one, but you will require some knowledge and appropriate tools.

Take a look at the Door

Installing a cat flap on a door can be tricky however, as long as you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the directions provided, it should not prove to be too difficult. We will demonstrate how much to install a cat flap to draw the shape using an jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, take a measurement of your pet's width. This will ensure that the flap is large enough that your pet can enter and leave the house without having to open or close the door every time, but it is also small enough to prevent them from moving 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 with an X, however some kits come with a drawing that shows the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure you have enough clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and stop them from gaining access to your home.

Next put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start to cut along the line that you penciled in, but don't press the blade too hard as this will cause it to cut more quickly than you'd like it to. If you have an already-cut square, use it to check whether you're cutting in the right way and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle shape, once you are satisfied with this you can start to remove the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and outside without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also helps prevent draughts and helps to keep your home's temperature steady. However, fitting the cat flap to your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who have never done it before, leading many people to call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the task. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.

This is much easier to do with a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to harm the doors as this could invalidate your guarantee. The first step is to measure the door and ensure that it can fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However when your door is composite or another type of door, you may have to be more cautious.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the height from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a place near the door that will be within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil so you are certain that the hole will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it is time to cut out the hole. You will require the 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, since this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is hazardous for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you will require sandpaper for smoothing the edges so that the cat flap can be easily inserted.

Make a hole

It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. If you're not experienced in DIY, it is recommended to hire an expert to do the work for you. A botched job could not only be ugly and unattractive, but could also be security risks. It could let cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air out when it is inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door with an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is correctly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have an sandpaper piece on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you require when working with a power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.

It is best to only remove the material required to create the flap. It is necessary to leave a bit of material for the wall thickness of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.

A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or panel that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not get in contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is the case, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.

If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed windows with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade in it. This will be less expensive than fitting a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not designed specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flap in upvc door panel flaps let your pet move around at their own pace, giving them the freedom to lounge inside the house whenever they want to. However, if you own a uPVC door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. If you're able to buy and install a replacement upvc door panel with cat flap half-glazed uPVC panel then it is possible to fit the cat flap installers flap to the doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole through the door though and there are some things you'll need to do first to make sure it's safe.

A composite door panel usually has an extremely thin plastic outer skin joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type of door typically comes with a template drawing which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.

After you have carved out the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the cat flap. You can buy and fit a wide variety of different models including basic push-button operated models to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you choose it is essential to ensure that your cat can use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

It's a good idea to choose circular fittings rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes can make the glass more susceptible to cracking when drilling is applied to it. 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 family. This is especially crucial if you have a young or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.