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

Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is a lot easier than a glass door, however it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat flap in the door isn't easy however, as long as you choose the right type of cat flap make sure you take your time and follow the instructions provided it shouldn't be too difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then complete the job by fixing the flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and protects the door from wind and rain which can cause damage.

The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough that your pet can leave and enter the home without needing to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to stop them from moving too far either way.

If your kit has an illustration of the location to drill then you can stick it on the door, and then draw around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it ensure that you have enough clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.

Utilize a set square to check that you're cutting correctly and to ensure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. Once you are satisfied with this, you can begin removing the remaining door material. Use a set square to ensure that you're cutting the material properly and that the hole is a rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are able to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great way to let your pet in and out without worrying about them being a nuisance to visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door may seem daunting for those who haven't attempted it before. Many people call an expert carpenter or joiner to do the job. While this is certainly an option, it is possible to complete the task yourself if you own the proper tools and follow instructions carefully.

This is much simpler to do with wooden doors, but it is still possible with upvc door panel with cat flap fitted. However it is important to be cautious not to damage the doors as this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will be able to accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough for an ordinary uPVC door, however you may need to take more care if you have an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to measure the height of your cat's belly. This is the measurement 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 that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have the information, you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you are certain that the hole will fit your cat.

Once you have marked out the area, it's time to cut out the hole. You will need to use a jigsaw and it is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and straight, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you have completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that the cat flap can be fitted easily.

Make a hole

The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless have experience in DIY it is likely to be best to have a professional to do the task for you. A botched job may 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 inside.

Mark the hole's position on the door using the help of a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is correctly positioned and is flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth out any rough edges.

Once the line has been marked you should cut out the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety gear for working with the power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy an electric jigsaw that is quieter and easier.

It is best to only remove the material needed to make the cat flap. It is essential to leave a little extra material to make the wall thickness of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.

A upvc door may contain a metal frame or panel within it which could block the microchip cat flap if this is the case you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't come into contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done it is important to fill in the gap and render it watertight.

If you're installing the cat flap onto the frame of a double-glazed window cat flap with a metal frame, you'll need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new glass pane with the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It is much less expensive to get this done rather instead of trying to install a cat flap into an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps let your pet leave and come at their own pace, giving them the freedom to relax inside the house when they're feeling like it. If you have a uPVC front door, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. This is especially true when you don't have an glass panel that can be cut. If you're willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement upvc door panel with cat flap panel, it's possible to add a cat flap. It's not as easy as cutting a hole in the door though and there are some things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is typically comprised of a plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. It is important to be cautious when cutting the material. This type door comes with a template that you can use to make the hole.

Once you've determined the position of the hole in your door, now it's time to put in the cat flap itself. You can buy and fit various models that range from simple push-button operated models to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. No matter which type of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.

It is a good idea to choose a circular fitting rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking if a drill is used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you don't risk having to drill into toughened glass that may break and injure your pet or family members. This is particularly crucial if you have a child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.