Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.

It is easier to install the cat flap on a Upvc panel than one made of glass but you'll require some knowledge and right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a window cat flap door in a front door could be difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the appropriate one and you follow the guidelines it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to draw the shape and then use the jigsaw to cut out the door's opening. Then, we'll finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap remains in place and shields the door from wind and rain damaging the door.

The first step is take a measurement of the width of your pet in order to get an accurate measurement of the size of cat flap you'll need. This will ensure that the flap is big enough to allow your pet to leave and enter the home without having to open and close the door every time, yet small enough to keep them from going too far in either direction.

Once you have the measurements, you can determine the location on the door where the template should be placed. typically this is done using an X, but some kits include an illustration that outlines where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the back door with cat flap fitted and draw a line around the door. If your door has a sill or moulding at the bottom, make sure you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut faster than you would like it to. If you own a set square then use it to ensure that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap lets you to let your pet in and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature inside your home steady. However, putting the cat flap to your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who've never done it before, leading many people to seek out an expert joiner or carpenter to do the job instead. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are in order and the instructions are followed.

This is much easier to do on a wooden door, but it is possible with uPVC. However you should be cautious not to scratch the doors as this could cause the door to be damaged and invalidate your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel it's easy. However when your door is made of composite or another kind of door, you might have to be more cautious.

Next, you will need to determine the belly height of your cat. This is the amount of height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You will need to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to comfortably pass through. Once you have this information, you will be required to mark the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can ensure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut out the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. You should also remember to wear safety glasses and a dust mask whenever using the jigsaw, since inhaling the sawdust can be dangerous to your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will have to smooth out the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Make a hole

The process of fitting a cat flap into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be quite difficult. You may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the job for you. A faulty job can not only look ugly and unattractive, but could also be security risks. It could allow cold air to enter when the cat is outdoors and hot air out when inside.

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

After the line is traced, you must cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear any necessary safety gear for working with the power tool. If you're concerned about the noise, you can get a cordless jigsaw which is quieter and more user-friendly.

You should only remove the material needed to create the cat flap. A little bit of extra material will be needed to cover the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or damage the doors frame.

A door made of upvc may contain a metal frame or a panel inside that could interfere with the microchip cat flap install flap and if this is the case, you will need to cut an oversize hole to ensure the metal doesn't get in contact with the the cat flap. If this is done, it is essential to fill in the oversize gap and seal it with water.

If you're looking to install a cat flap inside windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal it is necessary to speak with a specialist. They can 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 trying to install a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass that was not made specifically for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to go and come anytime they want and let them relax in the home whenever they like. If you've got an uPVC door, it may be difficult to put in a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. Luckily, if you're happy to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it's possible to fit a cat flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of drilling a hole into the door. You'll also have to perform a few steps to ensure that it is secure.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally made up of a plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care must be taken when cutting through it to avoid damaging. This type door has a template you can use to make the hole.

Once you have marked the position of the hole in your door, it's now time to put in the cat flap installation bristol flap itself. You can pick from a wide range of options, from simple push-button models to microchip-activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. However, regardless of what type of cat flap in upvc door panel - writes in the official Atavi blog - flap you select, it's crucial to ensure that your cat is able to use the flap without becoming trapped outside in bad weather.

It's a good idea opt for circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into the door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family members. This is especially important if you have child or elderly person in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.