Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to come and go out of the home at its own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically active. Having a flap can also help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.

Take a measurement of the door

A window cat flap flap lets your pet to move around whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away and helps keep unwanted pests out of the home too!

It is essential to take measurements of the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the proper size for the door you have. Otherwise, it could be too big or small and your cat might be unable to use it.

Use a ruler to determine the width at several places along the edges of the door. You should also determine the door's height in a few places. This is because doors that are too high could cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!

Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and give you advice on the right size flap to purchase.

Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark out the shape of the hole on the door. This will aid you when you're cutting the hole and save you money!

You should also make sure that the hole you're making is in the correct place. If you're installing a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole does not reach too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.

If you have glass doors it is best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat flap into the glass pane, and you may be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without you having to leave him home on his own. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for your cat flap installers near me as well as you.

If you have a upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door or composite door, it could be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before you install a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can invalidate warranties.

In general, these kinds of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, however they can be difficult to fit the cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to starting.

To make sure that your cat can access the door, you'll have to measure their height. This is easiest when they're asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too often. Once you've established their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. This location can be outlined on the door.

If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap in the glass pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If it does not however, you can make one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it does not then you can create one by using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door, you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the opening and will not open or close.

Next, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed specifically for uPVC door use. It will usually be marked with this information. If not you can ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole made then place the flap against it and push it open to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it becomes stuck on any point, then make use of a file or a rasp to fix this.

Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're going to cut into. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that need to be removed to install the cat flap and be careful not to harm them during the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, meaning they won't have to deal with these issues. But, if your door is made from timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed then this will increase the difficulty of the job.

For these types of jobs, it is important to get advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is important to perform them correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is essential to get it right, as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.

Fit the Flap

After you've made the hole drilled, place the flap on to test whether it will fit and can be opened easily. If you notice any spots that stick or catch to the door, smooth them out using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is aligned with the door.

If your kit doesn't have templates, you can use thin paper like tracing or acetate. Lay the paper against the door and mark a line where you want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These are the screw holes that you'll use to secure the flap into the right position.

The majority of upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door are solid and easy to cut. However, if the door is made of GRP or a composite then this can be more complicated. If you're unfamiliar with this then it may be wise to get a professional to handle the work for you. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.

If you want to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is important to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to these doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you choose to complete the task yourself, remember that this could be messy and dangerous job.

For composite doors, you'll typically require a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel rather than just through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will need to take extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's also important to note that cutting holes into any type of glass for a door is far more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid wooden door.