Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel Cat flaps let your pet move around at their own pace, without you having to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating in the house.

It is much easier to put the cat flap on a Upvc panel than a glass one however, you'll require some knowledge and right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Fitting a cat door in the front door is difficult however, so long as the cat flap is the correct one and you follow the instructions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing you how to draw the shape, using a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then complete the job by fixing the cat flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and also protects the doors from damage caused by wind and rain.

To determine the size of the cat flap that you require, take a measurement of the width of your pet. This will enable you to select a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to walk into the house and exit without having to open the door each time.

Once you have the measurements you can mark the area on the door where the template should be placed, typically this is done using an X, however some kits include a drawing that shows the location to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and draw a line around it. If your door has sill or moulding on the bottom edge of it then make sure you have enough space to ensure your cat's safety and prevent them gaining access to your home.

Then put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin to cut according to the lines you have pencilled in. Don't press the blade too hard because this could cause it to cut more quickly than you want it to. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangle. Once you are satisfied with the shape, you can begin to remove the remaining door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap allows you to let your pet inside and out without worrying about unwanted visitors or unwanted gifts. It also prevents draughts, and keeps your home's temperature steady. The installation of a cat flap your door can be a daunting task to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call a professional carpenter or joiner to complete the job. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are right and the directions are adhered to.

Although this is much simpler with a wooden door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors, but you should be careful not to scratch the doors since this could end the warranty. The first step is to measure the door, ensuring that it will accommodate the new cat flap. This should be easy enough for an ordinary uPVC door, however you may require more care if using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they are more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the height between the floor and the bottom of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate an area on the door that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you have this information you'll need to mark out the area using an eraser and a spirit level so that you can be certain that the hole you make will be a good fit for your cat.


After you have marked the area, you're now ready to cut the hole. It is essential to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure that the cuts are clean and smooth not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while using the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've completed the cutting process, you will need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily into place.

Make a hole

It isn't easy to fit the cat flap onto a door panel or a sealed double glazing unit. It is tempting to tackle the job yourself, but unless you have plenty of experience with DIY, it's likely to be best to have a professional to do the task for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly but also pose security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air out when inside.

The hole's location should be marked on the door with a pencil and spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and runs flush with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on hand to smooth any rough edges.

Wear the safety equipment you need to work with the power tool. If you are worried about the sound produced by the jigsaw, consider buying an electric version that is quieter and simpler to use.

It is important that you only remove the material that is required to fit the cat flap. A small amount of material will be needed to cover the thickness of the wall of the flap but cutting off more than this can cause problems and even cause damage to the door frame.

A door made of upvc may have a metal frame or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and if this is the case, you'll need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal doesn't touch the wall of the cat flap. If this is done it is crucial to fill in the gap and seal it with water.

If you're planning to install an animal flap to an upvc door or a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a professional who will supply you with a new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather than to attempt to fix the cat flap onto an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.

Fit the Flap

Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go as they please, giving them the freedom to lounge in the home whenever they're feeling like it. If you have an uPVC front door, it can be difficult to put in the cat flap. This is especially the case if you do not own a glass panel which can be cut. If you're looking to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to install the cat flap. It's not a simple matter of drilling holes in the door. It is also necessary to perform a few steps to ensure it's secure.

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

After you have marked out the opening in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can pick from a range of designs, from simple push-button flaps to microchip activated ones that allow only your pet to enter. replacement upvc door panels with cat flap which type of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat can use the flap without getting caught in bad weather.

A circular fitting is better than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes make the glass more susceptible to cracking when a drill is used on it. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could shatter and harm your pet or family members. This is particularly important if you have child or an elderly person living in your home who may be injured by shards of glass.