Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house whenever it wants is a great method to keep your pet active and mentally 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.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without having to open the door. This makes it ideal to keep them in the house when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the house as well!
It is essential to take measurements of the door to ensure that you have the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. cat flap fitters should then make sure that the cat flap is the proper size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it could be too large or small, and your cat could be unable to use it.
Use a ruler to determine the width at several locations along the edge of the door. Also, measure 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.
Ask a glazier for assistance if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They should be able to assist you in determining whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and advise you on the right size of flap you should purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is mark out the shape of the hole on the door. This will aid you when you cut the hole and will save you money!
You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. If you're fitting an apex flap to a patio door it is vital that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.
If you have a glass door, it might be best to delegate this task to a professional glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. It is also possible that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you having to leave him all by himself. It can also help to stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't good for you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible, and you have checked with the manufacturer because alterations could affect any warranties.
In general, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other doors, but they may be a challenge to insert a cat flap into. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat can access the door, you'll have 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, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. You can then mark this location on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you need to be careful. The process of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. This is why it's advisable to hire an expert glazier to install your cat flap in glass. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming brittle. A Glazier will also be capable of providing you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it does not however, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it isn't, you can create one by using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to ensure that it is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to sit properly in the opening and stop it from being capable of sliding open or closed.
Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the design that was drawn 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 assistance. Once you have the hole made, place the flap section against it and push it open to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it binds on any points then use a file or rasp to fix it.
You should also check whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes within the door you will be cutting through because they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that need to be removed to install the cat flap and be careful not to damage them during the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, meaning they will not have to face these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that is not easily removed, it will make the task.
It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs as it is crucial to get them done right to avoid potential issues in the future. It is essential to do it right because doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've cut your hole, you can place the flap to check whether it opens and fits well. If you notice any spots that stick or catch, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits properly and opens without issue. Be sure that the flap is flush with the door.
If your kit doesn't have an example, you could make use of thin paper such as tracing or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, draw four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These will be the screws that you'll use to secure it into place.
The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite, it can be more challenging. If you are not familiar with this, it is best to hire a professional. They will also be able inform you if the door is suitable for installing the cat flap.
You can fit a cat flap into composite doors, but it is important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner first as any alterations to these doors could void the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be messy and even dangerous.
You'll need to use an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. Be aware that this can be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take extreme care not to hurt the door or yourself, as it is extremely fragile. It's also important to note that cutting holes into any type of door glass is a lot more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.