Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house as it pleases is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. A flap can 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 cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without you having to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the house when you're away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests out of your.
It is important to examine the door's measurements to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for your door made of upvc. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or small and your cat may have trouble using it.
Before you take any action however, you should use a ruler to determine the width of the door in several locations along its edge. You should also determine the height of the door in a few spots. This is because doors that are too high can cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they use the flap!
If you're not sure how to measure the door, it could be best to ask for assistance from a glazier or someone who performs this kind of work often. They'll be able assist you in determining whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap you should purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw out the shape of the hole in the door. This will provide you with an idea of how to cutting the hole and will stop you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!
Make sure that you put the hole in the correct position. For instance, if installing the cat flap on the patio door, you must ensure that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.
It is best to delegate the installation of the cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. It is also possible that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they want, without having to leave him home all by himself. It can also stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
If you have a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it is compatible and that you have consulted the manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties.
In general, these kinds of doors are made to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to install the cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
You'll have to measure their height to ensure that they can pass through the door. This is easiest if they are asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too often. Once you have their height you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the position of the flap's bottom. This position is marked on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to employ a glazier when installing your cat flap inside a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A Glazier will also be capable of providing you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap comes with a drawing template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to be. If it does not then you can make one yourself using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is a good choice). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, then use your spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.
Next, employ a jigsaw for cutting out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked accordingly, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once the hole is made, place the flap section against it and open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting into since they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door which have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items in the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and will not be dealing with any of these problems. However, if your door is made from timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, it will add to the complexity of the job.
For these types of jobs, it's recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is essential to do them correctly to avoid future problems. If you do it wrong, it could lead to the door being damaged and could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Place the Flap
After you've cut your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and fits. If you find any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit perfectly and open without difficulty. Make sure that the flap is perfectly flush with the door.
Some kits come with a template for this however, if it doesn't, you can use a piece or thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and mark a line where you will need to place the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these will be the screws that you'll use to secure it in place.
Most uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. If your door is made of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this then it may be advisable to hire a professional to do the job for you. They will also be able to tell you if your door is suitable to install a cat flap.
If you want to install a cat flap into composite doors, you need to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.
For composite doors, you'll usually require a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel rather than simply through the GRP. Be cat flap fitters that this can be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take great care not to harm the door or yourself as it's extremely fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole into any type of door glass is far more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.