Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house whenever it wants to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want without having to open the door. This makes it perfect to keep them in the house when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!
It is essential to take measurements of the door to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures you get the right size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or too large, and your cat may struggle to use it.
Before you take any action, though, use a ruler to take measurements of the length of the door in a variety of places along its edges. Also, you should determine the door's height in a few places. This is because a door that is too high can cause your cat to do a gymnast's routine every time they need to use the flap!
If you're not sure how to measure the door, it may be best to ask for help from a glazier or someone who is familiar with this type of work regularly. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can advise you on what size flap to purchase.
Draw the outline of the hole on your door once you have your measurements. This will help you when you cut the hole and save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. If you're installing an apex flap to an outdoor door, it's vital that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.
It is recommended to leave the task of installing the cat flap on glass doors to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to insert a cat flap into an existing glass pane and you could find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to leave them on their own. It also helps stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
If you have a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install the cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed from different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is quite different too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before you install an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could be detrimental to warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are made to be tough and durable and have insulation built-in. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of door, but it isn't easy to install an animal flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional jointer prior to beginning.
To ensure that your cat can access the door, you'll need to determine their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so that they don't move around. Once you've established 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. This location can be outlined on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you have to be careful. The process of drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire a glass installer when installing the cat flap inside a pane. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to crack and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap should come with a template drawing that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole should go. If it does not then you can make one yourself using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door, then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to properly fit into the opening and stop it from being capable of sliding open or closed.
Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut the shape written on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and then open it to ensure that the flap moves easily. If it binds at any point, you can use the filer or the rasp to fix this.
Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you're planning to cut into. Your jigsaw could damage them. Be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items in the process.
Most 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 issues. But, if your door is made of wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, it will make it more difficult to complete the job.
It is always worthwhile seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs since it is essential to do the job done correctly to avoid possible issues in the future. Making the wrong choice could result in the door becoming damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've made your hole cut, put the flap in place to see if it fits and is able to open easily. If you find any points that catch or stick or stick, you can file them down using a hand file or sandpaper until it fits properly and opens with no issues. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.
If cat flap installation cost doesn't have a template, you can use tracing paper that is thin, such as a piece of paper or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to show where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screws you'll use to put it in the right position.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar with this, it might be wise to get a professional to do the job for you. They can also inform you if the door is suitable for installing a cat flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is essential to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to carry out the work yourself, remember that this could be messy and possibly hazardous task.
You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors more than just the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will require extra care to not damage the door. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to create holes in door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood doors.