Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house at will is an excellent way to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. Having a flap can also aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house whenever it wants to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to open the door. This is ideal to keep them in the house when you're home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests from the home too!
It is essential to take measurements of the door to ensure that you get the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size that fits into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or too large, and your cat may be unable to use it.
Before doing anything but use a ruler to measure the length of the door in several places along its edges. You should also measure the height of the door in a few spots. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do an acrobatics routine each time it is tempted to use the flap.
Ask a glazier for assistance when you're unsure of what to measure for the door. They can determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will help you decide on the size of flap to purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw out the shape of the hole in the door. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making an error that will cost you money in the long run!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. For instance, if installing the cat flap inside a patio door, it is important that the hole isn't too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.
It is recommended to leave the task of installing the cat flap onto the glass door to an experienced glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. You might also discover that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around whenever they want without having to leave them alone. It can also help to keep draughts out of your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed of different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is quite different too. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can cause warranty issues.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are made to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to the weather than other types of door, but it isn't easy to install an animal flap. Consult cat flap installation cost before installing a cat flap onto the uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to determine the height of your child to make sure they pass through the door. This will be easiest if they are asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too much. Once you've established their height, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. You can then mark this spot on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in a cat flap in a pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking and becoming hard. A Glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't, you can make one yourself with a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, create your own by with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape has already been penciled in on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the door, and it won't slide open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw and cut the shape marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed for uPVC doors. It will typically be identified with this information. If not you can ask the staff at the DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it to make sure the flap moves smoothly. If it becomes stuck on any points then use a file or rasp to correct this.
You should also check whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting through as they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles or other fittings on the door which have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch these objects while cutting.
The majority of people who install a cat flap themselves will have a standard solid uPVC door and so will not be dealing with any of these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative part that cannot be removed, this can make the job.
For these types of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat flap fitter. It is crucial to complete the job correctly to avoid future problems. If you do it wrong, it could cause the door to be damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you've made your hole, place the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you find any points that catch or stick, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens without issue. Make sure that the flap sits in a flush position with the door.
If your tool doesn't have a template, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or Acetate. Place the paper against the door and mark an area on which you'll need to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these are the screw holes you'll use to fit the flap into the right position.
Most uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this then it may be wise to get an expert to complete the work for you. They will also be able to tell you if your door is suitable to install a cat flap.
You can fit the cat flap onto composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes since any modifications to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be messy and may even be hazardous.
With composite doors, you'll usually need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself instead of just cutting through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will need to take extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's important to remember that it is much more difficult to make the door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.