UPVC exterior door lower panel replacement/security

[CopperBolt]

Hi all

Ive got a cat flap in the lower panel of back door. Top half is glass. Would like to replace lower panel with solid panel to reduce heat loss. No cat anymore to consider.
Just watched a YT video on how to remove a panel and measure it up. Presumably this can only be done from inside? Removing the beading and lifting it out? Otherwise burglars could get in so easy it'd be ridiculous.

Anyone done similar before? Can the beading be reused? Good place to get a new panel from?

Thanks

[CopperBolt]

B'stard Child said:

Did the same 2 years ago after our last cat shuffled off this earth (RIP Stanley)

Std panels are cheap (~£30) but if the panel is an odd size and ours was we had to get one cut as a special (this near trebled the cost and I had to wait two weeks)

Start by removing the beads (wallpaper scrapper and a mallet (do the longest length at the centre first, then the opposite side, then the shorter lengths)

Measure the existing panel external dimensions and thickness that's what you need to determine if you can get off the shelf or need one cut to size

Try to buy one with a hardboard core (they are much more resistant to being kicked in compared to just insulated with UPVC skins)

Many thanks, must get round to a measure up.

Presume once I've debeaded and taken out the existing one to measure, I'll be putting it back til the new one arrives.

[CopperBolt]

B'stard Child said:

Going to be a bit drafty if you don’t

[CopperBolt]

No ideas for a name said:

Just to add - since it is obvious once you have done it, but maybe not obvious if you haven't - the beads pop in, in the plane of the door, not prised out at 90 degrees to the surface.

Cool, thanks