Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to move around the house whenever it wants is a great way to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it needs to.
Take a look at the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to move around whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This makes it ideal for keeping them in when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!
It is important to measure the door to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the right size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it may be too big or small and your cat might have difficulty using it.
Before you do anything however, you should use a ruler to determine the length of the door in various places along its edges. Also, determine the door's height in a couple of places. A door that is too high will make your cat do an exercise routine every time it wants to use the flap.
Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They'll be able to determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and advise you on what size flap to purchase.
Mark out the shape of your hole on the door once you have your measurements. This will help you when you cut the hole, and will save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the correct place. For instance, if you're fitting the cat flap in the patio door, you must ensure that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and damage to the seal.
It is recommended to leave the job of installing the cat flap onto a glass door to a professional glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go as they please without you having to leave them alone. It can also help to stop draughts from entering your home, which isn't bad for you or your cat!
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may cause warranty issues.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are designed to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, however it isn't always easy to install a cat flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need to determine their height. It's easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they don't sway 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 needs to be. Then, you can mark this position on the door.
When using power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you have to be careful. The process of drilling into metal could cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to engage an expert glazier to install your cat flap into a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming fragile. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't however, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can make your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door, then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. through wall cat flap will allow the cat flap to be properly seated in the opening and stop it from being in a position to slide open or closed.
Then, you can use your jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Make sure you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked as such however, if not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is cut then place the flap against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves smoothly. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use a filer or a rasp to fix this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes inside the door you'll be cutting through, since they could be damaged by your jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fittings on the door that must be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items during the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap themselves will have the standard solid uPVC door, and therefore won't have to deal with any of these issues. But, if your door is made from timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, it will add to the complexity of the task.
It is always worthwhile seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs since it is important to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. Getting upvc door panels cat flap can result in the door becoming damaged, which could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Place the Flap
Once you've made your hole, put the flap and check if it opens and fits well. If composite door cat flap notice any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they are able to fit and can be opened without issue. Make sure that the flap is in a flush position 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 the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as a 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 screws you'll use to fit the flap into place.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite material, this can be more complicated. If you're unfamiliar with this, it might be advisable to hire a professional to do the job for you. They can also provide you with advice on whether or not your specific door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is essential to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to the doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be a messy job and could be dangerous.
For composite doors, you'll typically need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you'll have to be extra careful to not damage the door. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole into any type of glass for a door is much more difficult than making the same changes in a uPVC or solid timber door.