Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go from the house at its own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the house if needed.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to go and come at their own pace, without opening the door for them. This is ideal to keep them in the house when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests from the home too!

It is essential to examine the door's measurements to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or large, and your cat may have trouble using it.

Before you take any action but use a ruler to take measurements of the width of the door in a variety of places along its edge. You should also determine the door's height in a few places. A door that is too high will make your cat do an acrobatics routine each time it is tempted to use the flap.

Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and give you advice on the right size flap you should purchase.

Once you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw the outline of the hole in the door. This will assist you when cutting the hole and will save you money!

Make sure you make the hole in the right location. For example, if you're fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.

If you have an opening made of glass it is best to leave this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they wish without having to leave him home on his own. It also helps keep draughts out of your home, which isn't bad for you or your cat!

If you have a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed with different materials than traditional wooden or upvc door panels cat flap doors and the procedure for installing them is different, too. Before you consider fitting a cat flap in a upvc door (click to find out more) the cat flap on your replacement upvc door panels with cat flap 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.

In general, these kinds of doors are built to be tough and durable with insulation included. They are more resistant to weather than other kinds of doors, however it isn't always easy to install an animal flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional jointer prior to starting.

You'll have to measure their height to make sure they pass through the door. This is easiest when they're asleep or calm so that they're not moving around too often. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. 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 very careful when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly in the case of toughened glass. This is why it's highly recommended to employ a glazier when installing your cat flap in a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A Glazier is also capable of providing you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat flap insulation to use.

Cut the Hole

If it doesn't, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you could create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, you can then use a spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the door, and it will not slide open or close.

Then, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap against it and then push it out to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to fix this.

Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're planning to cut into. Your jigsaw could damage them. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fittings on the door that must be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items in the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so will not have to worry about any of these problems. However, if your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, this could add to the complexity of the task.

For these kinds of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is important to perform them correctly to avoid any future issues. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and could invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

Once you've made your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using an sandpaper or hand file until it is a perfect fit and opens without any problems. Make sure that the flap is flush with the door.

If your kit doesn't have templates, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line in order to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screws you'll need to fix the flap to the door.

The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it's recommended to consult a professional. They can also help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for cat flap installation.

If you're planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, you need to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be messy and may even be hazardous.

You'll need to use an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors, rather than only the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take great care not to hurt the door or yourself, as it is extremely fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid wooden door.