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 mentally and physically active. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the home when necessary.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet leave and come back whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This makes it perfect to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of your house as well!
It is important to measure the door prior to when you buy the cat flap, as there are different sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or large for your cat and he will have trouble using it.
Get a ruler and take measurements of the width at various locations along the edge of the door. You should also measure the height of the door in a few places. A door that is too high can cause your cat to perform an acrobatics routine each time it wants to use the flap.
Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can help you decide on the size of flap to purchase.
Draw the outline 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!
Make sure to put the hole in the right position. If you are fitting the cat flap onto the patio door, it is crucial that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.
It is best to leave the task of installing the cat flap on glass doors to an experienced glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat flap into an existing glass pane and you might be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to come and go as they please without you having to leave them home alone. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat as well as you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible prior to installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they may be difficult to install the cat flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional jointer prior to beginning.
You'll need to determine their height in order to ensure that they can pass through the door. This is easiest when they're asleep or calm, so that they aren't moving around too much. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. This location can be outlined on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap into glass. This will stop the glass from breaking or becoming hard. A glazier will also be able to provide you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap will come with a template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole should go. If it does not then you can create one by using the thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). Once the shape has been penciled in on the door, you can use your spirit level to ensure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the opening, and it will not open or close.
Next, take your jigsaw, and cut the shape drawn on the door. Use a blade designed specifically for uPVC door use. It will usually be identified with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for help. After the hole has been cut, place the flap section against it and then open it, making sure that the flap moves easily. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use the filer or the rasp to correct this.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes in the door you're going to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures that are on the door that have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch these objects in the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these issues. However, if your door is made from timber or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, this could increase the difficulty of the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it's important to get guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is important to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged, which could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Place the Flap
After you've cut your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and fits. If you find any points that catch or stick to the door, smooth them out using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens with no issues. Be sure that the flap is in line with the door.
Some kits come with templates for this, but even if yours doesn't have a template, you can use a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and mark a line where you want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw points that you'll need to use to fix the flap to the door.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. If your door is made of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this then it may be wise to get an expert to complete the work for you. They should also be able to advise you on whether or not your door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
It is possible to install the cat flap onto composite doors. However, it's essential to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner first since any modifications to these doors could void the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be a messy job and even dangerous.
You'll need a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors, rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll have to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself, as it is extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it is much more difficult to cut the door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood doors.