Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it needs to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come as they please without having to open the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet safe in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from entering.
It is important to measure the door to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it could be too small or too large, and your cat may struggle to use it.
Before you take any action, though, take a ruler and determine the width of the door in several places along its edges. You should also take measurements of the height of the door in a few places. This is because a door that is too high can cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for help if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They'll be able assist you in determining whether not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to purchase.
Draw Get More Information of the hole on your door once you have the measurements. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making an error that will cost you money in the long run!
Make sure that you put the hole in the right location. For instance, if installing the cat flap inside the patio door, you must ensure that the hole isn't too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and problems with the seal.
It is best to delegate the task of installing a cat flap on the glass door to an experienced glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. It is also possible that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to go and come whenever they like without having to leave them home to themselves. It can also help to keep draughts out of your home, which isn't good for either you or your cat!
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before you install an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can invalidate warranties.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, but they may be difficult to fit the cat flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat can access the door, you'll need determine their height. It's easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they aren't moving around. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. You can then mark this location on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be very careful when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in the cat flap inside the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap will come with a drawing template that you can use to mark the spot on your door where the hole will go. If it isn't, you can make one yourself using the thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, then use a spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to sit properly in the opening and prevent it being able to slide open or closed.
Next, use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was marked on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be labelled accordingly, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is made then place the flap against it and open it to make sure the flap moves smoothly. If it is bound on any point, then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix it.
It is also important to ensure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door that you will be cutting through, because they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fittings in the door, which must be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items during the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap themselves will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and will not be dealing with any of these problems. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative part that is not easily removed, it will make the job.
It is always advisable to seek assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is important to get them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. If you do it wrong, it could result in the door becoming damaged, which could make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've got your hole drilled, put the flap on to see if it fits and opens easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit perfectly and open without difficulty. Be sure that the flap is aligned with the door.
Some kits include templates for this, however, if it doesn't provide a template, you could make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and draw a line where you will need to place the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made 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.
Most uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite, this can be more complicated. If you're not comfortable with this, it is best to hire 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.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is important to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to carry out the work yourself, be aware that it can be a messy and potentially dangerous task.
With composite doors, you'll generally 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 can be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself, as it is very fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole in any type of glass for a door is far more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.