Fitting cat flap to wooden panel entrance door.

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Fitting cat flap to wooden panel entrance door.

k1w1k1d

1741 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1340

#319383 20-Apr-2025 10:08

My latest project is to fit a microchip pet flap to this entrance door at my daughter's house. It is the only suitable door.

Black - cutout hole. Red - plastic surround. Yellow - wooden fill-in blocks.

Wondering if cutting away part of the lower mullion and a bit of the bottom rail would seriously weaken the door. Pretty sure a decent kick would break the frame by the windows anyway.

I have fitted the flap to a piece of ply and wedged it in a sliding door. The door is taped open to get Tom used to going through it. Luckily, he went straight through without batting an eyelid.

Will see how it goes when I put the batteries in the flap is operating.

Eva888

2827 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2484

Lifetime subscriber

#3365778 20-Apr-2025 10:15

We put ours in the glass at side of the door when we had a cat. Never had any issues with glass breaking.

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
9388 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6267

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3365779 20-Apr-2025 10:17

Is there any particular reason you want to put it where marked? Why not put it at the bottom of one of the fielded panels? Simpler, easier and arguably better-looking to do that. I wouldn't worry about Tom thinking it's a bit too high - if he wants in, he'll have no trouble.

You'll probably have fewer problems sealing it if mounted in the panel - compared to where planned.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

k1w1k1d

1741 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1340

#3365780 20-Apr-2025 10:38

Thanks for reply.

Originally thought of putting it in the hinge side panel, but not sure how it would look when off to the side. Door has a centrally located peep hole and a solid brass knocker.

Mounting screws would be through the cut away section of panel.

Sealing not a major issue as in an alcove. Door is currently a bright canary yellow, and she wants me to repaint it dark green.

Looking at all possibilities before presenting options to my daughter.

mdf

3567 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1524

Trusted

#3365983 20-Apr-2025 13:22

Like you, the thought of putting the cat flap off centre causes the lizard brain to rebel. But you would definitely be cutting out all the strength of the mullion putting it there and I would be worried about the strength of the door and the panels.

Will it fit in the glass panel to the side? That would be my first try, appreciate that involves glazing though. Failing that, I would have to argue the lizard brain into submission and mount it off centre.

----//----

As an aside, you shouldn't paint the inside and outside of an exterior timber door significantly different colours. The door can warp. See e.g. https://parkwooddoors.co.nz/how-to-protect-your-timber-front-door/

Rickles

3135 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 469

Trusted

#3365989 20-Apr-2025 14:23

Put cat flap in glass panel at side of door ... will look much neater all round.

My daughter did same thing and so easy to keep clean, if ever noticed. You do get a few 'friendlies' sitting outside the door 😁, but also good to tell if a rodent catch is in the offing.

PS You'll never get a perfect flat or sealed finish in between those routed panels, will leak with rain.

k1w1k1d

1741 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1340

#3365991 20-Apr-2025 14:38

Flap is wider than the frame around the glass panels, so can only go somewhere in the door.

Wasn't aware of the possible issues with painting the door a dark colour. I quite like the bright yellow and not really looking forward to all the preparation required to make such a drastic colour change.

Thanks.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

richms

29176 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10290

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3365999 20-Apr-2025 15:31

I would put in in the bottom of one of the decorative panels as they dont provide much strenght.

Beware that the chip doors stick well out, and may limit the doors opening angle to less than you want, but you dont want it too far from the hinge to minimize the forces on it when the door slams.

Is there nowhere that you could go thru the wall or chop the window area slightly wider? Or totally replace a panel of glass in a french door side panel area with plywood for it?

Richard rich.ms

kingdragonfly

12053 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13003

Subscriber

#3366056 20-Apr-2025 19:12

I've moved frequently, and had professionals install quite a few cat doors.

I'd recommend always placing the door in glass if possible. That way it is easily reversible.

Also have you considered the cat door does not have to be at ground level. A table or a series of shelves next to a window will allow a cat to exit above ground, and any number of ramps to allow the cat to the ground work.

I've seen kits in New Zealand of simple spiral staircases, made of plastic, that just stack easily.

If you search instructions for "cat staircase", there's no short of idea.

Instructables - Cat staircase

Wheelbarrow01

1789 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2668

Trusted

Chorus

#3366064 20-Apr-2025 21:39

I notice it's not a deadlocked door. Is the flap far enough away from the lockset to stop a burglar reaching in and unlocking the door?

k1w1k1d

1741 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1340

#3366067 20-Apr-2025 22:06

There is a double cylinder deadlock above the lockset shown in the photo.

k1w1k1d

1741 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1340

#3411334 4-Sep-2025 21:28

Today I finished fitting the cat door.

Was a bit of a mission as the panels are about 3mm thinner on each side of the door than the mullion and rails. I had to rout out the panel and glue in pieces of wood to get a flat surface to mount the cat door to.

Thomas has been locked inside for a couple of months. My daughter has been taking him for walks around the property on a harness to get him used to his new home.

Saturday he will be let out for his first day of freedom, so hopefully he won't run away.

Next project will be to paint the door green when summer arrives.