cat flap in bifold doors flaps let your cat go inside and out as they please without you needing to let them in or out. They can also help prevent your cat from peeing in the home.

It is much easier to put the cat flap on a upvc panel than one made of glass, but you will need some skills and the correct tools.

Take a look at the Door

The installation of a cat flap in a front door can be difficult however, provided that the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the guidelines, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will demonstrate how to mark the shape and use the jigsaw to cut the door's area. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from wind and rain causing damage.

To determine the size of the cat flap you require, measure your pet's width. This will enable you to select a flap that is large enough to allow your pet to go into the house and exit without needing to open the door every time.

Once you have the measurements, you can determine the area on the door where the template should be placed, usually, this is done using an X, however some kits include drawings that show where to drill, if yours does then stick it to the door and use a pencil to 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 and using a jigsaw start to cut according to the lines you've drawn in, don't try to push the blade too hard as this can cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material in a proper manner and that the cut is a rectangle. When you are happy with the final result, you can 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 guests or leaving unwanted gifts inside the home. It also reduces drafts and helps to keep the temperature in your home in a stable manner. However, installing a cat flap in your door might seem like an intimidating task for those who've never done it before, leading many to hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the job. This is a viable option, however you can do it yourself if the tools are appropriate and the directions are followed.

Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors - although you need to be very careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate your warranty. The first step is to take measurements of the door to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. This should be easy enough when you have the standard uPVC door, however you might need to take extra care if you are using an insulated or composite kind of door, as they can be more difficult to cut than solid uPVC panels.

The next step is to determine the height of your belly for 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 spot in the door that will be within the range that your pet can comfortably go through. Once you have this information, you will be required to mark the area with pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you make will be suitable for your cat.

Once you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using the jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust is dangerous for your health. After you've finished the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper so that your cat flap can be fitted easily.

Make a hole

It can be difficult to put an animal flap on a door panel or a sealed double glazing cat flap glazing unit. If you are not very proficient in DIY, it's best to employ an expert to do the job for you. A mistake could not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when it is inside.

The first thing you need to do is mark the position of the hole in the door using a pencil and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is properly located and is parallel to the other parts of the door. Make sure you have a piece of sandpaper at ready to smooth any edges.

After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with the jigsaw. Remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you are worried about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase a cordless version which is quieter and simpler to use.

You should only remove the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is important to leave a little extra material to cover the wall of the cat flap. However, removing too much can cause issues or even damage to the frame of the door.

If the door is made of upvc and is made of metal, or has a frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this situation you'll need to create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't get in contact with the wall of the flap.

If you're looking to install a cat flap inside a double-glazed or upvc window with metal frames you'll need to talk to a specialist. They will provide you with a brand new piece of glass that has the hole already made for the cat flap. This will be cheaper than trying to install a cat flap in an existing pane that wasn't designed specifically for this purpose.

Install the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the house when they want to. If you have a uPVC front door, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. This is particularly true if you do not own an glass panel which can be cut. If you're able to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, then it's possible to install an animal flap onto the doors with cat flap. It's not as simple as cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's safe.

A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is generally composed of a thin plastic skin that is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core. The material is quite fragile and care must be taken when cutting into it to avoid damaging. This kind of door comes with a template that you can use to cut the hole.

After you've marked the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can purchase and install many different models that range from simple push-button operated models to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. But, regardless of the type of cat flap you select, it's important to make sure that your cat is able to use the flap without getting stuck outside in the rain.

A circular fitting Cat flap in upvc door panel is superior than a square because circles can be cut more securely into glass. This is because square holes are more likely to crack the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer choice since you don't have to drill into the toughened glass, which could break and hurt your pet or family. This is especially crucial if you have elderly or children living in your home who could be injured by glass fragments.