Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat go in and out of the house as it pleases is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing accidents with toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house if required.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without having to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet safe in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering.
It is essential to measure the door prior to when you buy the cat flap, as there are various sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it could be too big or small and your cat may have trouble using it.
Take a ruler, and take measurements of the width at various places along the edges of the door. You should also measure the door's height in a few spots. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they use the flap!
Get help from a glazier when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They'll be able to determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap you should purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is to mark out the shape of the hole on the door. This will aid you when you're cutting the hole and will save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. For instance, if installing the cat flap on a patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors it is best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It may be difficult to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to leave them on their own. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat or you.
If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Before you think about installing a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it is compatible and that you've checked with the manufacturers as alterations may cause the warranty to be invalidated.
They are designed to last and are tough with insulation. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other doors, but they may be difficult to fit the cat flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to determine their height in order to ensure that they can pass through the door. It's easiest to measure their height when they're at peace or asleep, which means they aren't moving around. Once you know their height you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. You can then mark this position on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, particularly in the case of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install the cat flap inside the pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap should come with a drawing template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole will be. If it doesn't, you can create your own by with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has been drawn on the door, use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to properly fit into the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or closed.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut out the shape written on the door. Use a blade that is specifically designed specifically for uPVC door use. It will usually be identified with this information. If not, ask the staff in the DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it, making sure that the flap moves smoothly. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use a file or a sandpaper to correct this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes inside the door that you will be cutting into since they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed to install the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch them during the process.
cat flap installation near me who fit a cat flap themselves will have an ordinary solid uPVC door, and therefore will not be dealing with any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative element that isn't easily removed, it will make the job.
It is always advisable to seek assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is important to get them right to avoid any potential problems in the future. It is essential to get it right, as doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap on to see whether it will fit and is able to open easily. If you find any points that catch or stick, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit properly and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.
If your kit doesn't include an example, you could use thin paper like tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark out four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screw points that you'll use to secure it into the right position.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore simple to cut into. If your door is made of composite or GRP, it can be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it is recommended to consult a professional. They should also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap installation.
You can install the cat flap onto composite doors, but it is important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so as any alterations to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be a messy job and even dangerous.
You'll require a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will require extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any type of door glass is far more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid timber door.