Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat go in and out of the house at will is an excellent method to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for the cat to leave the house if necessary.

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 for keeping them in when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!

It's important to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap as there are different sizes available. This ensures you get the right size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or large and your cat will be unable to use it.

Before you do anything, though, use a ruler to measure the length of the door in several locations along its edge. Also, you should take measurements of the height of the door 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!

If you're unsure of how to measure a door, it might be best to ask for assistance from a glazier, or someone who is familiar with this kind of work regularly. They can determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap to buy.

Draw the outline of the hole on your door after you have taken your measurements. 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 end!

Make sure that you put the hole in the correct place. If you're fitting an apex flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.

If you have glass cat flap installation near me doors it is best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be very tricky to fit a cat flap into an existing glass pane and you might find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap permits your pet to go and come as they please without you having to leave them to themselves. It also helps stop the draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for you or your cat!

If you own a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Before you think about installing a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible and that you have consulted the manufacturer as any modifications could cause the warranty to be invalidated.

These doors are typically designed to be durable and tough, with insulation. They are more resistant to the elements than other kinds of doors, but it can be difficult to install an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap fitting near me flap, check with a professional jointer prior to starting.

To ensure that your cat is able to get through the door, you'll have to take a measurement of their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they're at peace or asleep, which means they aren't moving around. Once you've established their height, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. This position can be marked on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you need be extra cautious. The drilling process can make it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to engage an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the cat flap, which 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 template that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, create your own by with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door you can then use your spirit level to make sure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is properly positioned in the door, and it won't slide open or close.

Next, use your jigsaw and cut out the shape that has been marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed specifically for uPVC doors. It will usually be identified with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole drilled and the flap section is in place, put it against it and push it out to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds on any points then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.

Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you're planning to cut into. The jigsaw may damage them. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that need to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch them during this process.

Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door and so will not be dealing with any of these issues. But, if your door is constructed of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, this could make it more difficult to complete the job.

For these kinds of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert guidance from a cat flap installers-flap Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door expert. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. It is essential to do it right because making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and void the warranty.

Place the Flap

Once you've got your hole cut, put the flap on to check whether it can be opened easily. If you notice any points that stick or catch 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.

If your tool doesn't have an example, you could use thin paper like tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as 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 will be the screw points that you'll use to secure the flap into the right position.

Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite, this can be more complicated. If you're unfamiliar with this, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to handle the job for you. They will also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.

If you want to install a cat flap in composite doors, you need to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to the doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be a messy job and could be dangerous.

When you have composite doors, you'll typically need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll have to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself, as it's extremely fragile. It is important to note that it's more difficult to create a hole in a door glass than in a uPVC door or a solid wood door.