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 physically and mentally active. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house whenever it wants to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to go and come as they please without having to open the door for them. This is ideal to keep them in the house when you're at home or away and helps keep unwanted pests out of your home too!
It is important to measure the door before you buy the cat flap, as there are different sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it may be too big or small and your cat might be unable to use it.
Take a ruler, and determine the width at several points along the edge of the door. Also, you should determine the door's height in a few places. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast routine every time it uses the flap.
Ask a glazier for assistance if you aren't sure what to measure for the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap you should purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark out the shape of the hole in the door. This will give you a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making an error that will cost you money in the future!
You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. For instance, if fitting the cat flap in the patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.
It is recommended to leave the installation of the cat flap onto the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be a challenge to insert a cat flap into an existing pane of glass and you might 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 having to leave him alone. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat as well as you.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if it is compatible before installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.
These doors are typically designed to be durable and tough, with insulation. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of door, but it isn't easy to install an animal flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner before beginning.
You'll need to take their height in order to make sure they fit through the door. This is easier if they are asleep or calm so that they don't move around too often. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. Then, you can mark this position on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. Drilling into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is composed of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ a glass installer when installing a cat flap in the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier is also able to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap should come with a drawing template that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape is drawn on the door, you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being in a position to slide open or closed.
Next, use your jigsaw and cut the shape drawn on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be labelled accordingly If not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is made then place the flap against it and open it to make sure the flap moves smoothly. If it binds on any point, then use a file or rasp to correct this.
Also, make sure whether there are no electrical gas or cable lines within the door you'll be cutting into as they could be damaged by the jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which must be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items while cutting.
Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have a standard solid uPVC door and so will not have to worry about any of these problems. If your door is made of timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, this could increase the difficulty of the job.
For these types of jobs, it's recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat flap fitter. It is important to do them correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is essential to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap on to check whether it will fit and can be opened easily. If you find any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit properly and can be opened without issue. Make sure that the flap is perfectly flush with the door.
cat flap fitters include a template for this however, even if yours does not, you can use a piece or thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line in order to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screws you'll need to use to fix it in place.
The majority of uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to handle the work for you. They can also provide you with advice on whether or not your specific door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
You can install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors, but it is important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes as any alterations to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be a messy job and even dangerous.
With composite doors, you'll generally need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you'll require extra care to not damage the door. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole in any type of glass for a door is far more difficult than making the same change in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.