Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically stimulated. A flap can reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for the cat to leave the house if needed.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they'd like without needing to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the home when you are away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from getting into your.
It is essential to measure the door before you buy a cat flap as there are a variety of sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or too large and your cat will struggle to use it.
Take a ruler, and take measurements of the width at various points along the edge of the door. Also, you should measure the door's height in a couple of places. A door that is too high will make your cat do a gymnast routine every time it uses the flap.
Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and help you decide on the size of flap to buy.
Draw the shape of the hole on your door once you have your measurements. This will aid you when cutting the hole and save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the correct place. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap on a patio door, it's important that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have glass doors you could want to let this job to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat flap into an existing pane of glass and you might be surprised to find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want without you having to leave him alone. It can also help to stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't good for you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the process of installing them is different. Before you consider fitting a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible, and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may cause the warranty to be invalidated.
They are designed to last and are tough and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, but they may be difficult to fit an animal flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner before starting.
To ensure that your cat is able to pass through the door, you'll need determine their height. It's easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they don't sway around. Once you have their height you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. Then, you can mark this spot on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. The process of drilling into metal could cause it to crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ an expert glass installer when putting in an e-cat flap on a pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking and becoming fragile. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole to use for the cat flap, which will be less likely to crack and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap should come with a template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, create your own by using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door you can then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being capable of sliding open or close.
Then, employ a jigsaw for cutting out the shape marked on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such, if not ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. After the hole has been cut then place the flap against it and then open it, making sure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it becomes stuck on any points then make use of a file or a rasp to fix it.
Also, make sure that there are no electric gas or cable lines within the door you'll be cutting into as they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap and be careful not to damage them during this process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have the standard solid uPVC front door, so they will not have to face these problems. But, if your door is constructed of wood or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, this could make it more difficult to complete the job.
For these types of jobs, it is worth getting expert advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is crucial to perform them correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is important to get it right, as doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
After you've made the hole drilled, place the flap on to test if it fits and opens 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 open without difficulty. Make sure the flap is flush with the door.
Some kits come with an example of this, however, even if yours does not have a template, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Make four screw holes on each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw points that you'll need to fix the flap to the door.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If the door is made of composite or GRP, it can be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it is best to hire an expert. They can also inform you if the door is suitable to install an animal flap.
You can install a cat flap into composite doors, but it is important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner first because any changes to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be messy and could be dangerous.
You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors, rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take extreme care not to hurt the door or yourself since it's extremely fragile. cat flap installation 's also important to note that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is much more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid wooden door.