Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat go in and out of the house at will is a great method to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for cats to leave the house if required.
Take a look at the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move around whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the home when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from getting into your.
It's important to measure the door before you buy a cat flap as there are different sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or large, and your cat may have trouble using it.
Take a ruler, and determine the width at several locations along the edge of the door. Also, take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. This is because a door that is too high can cause your cat to perform a gymnast's routine every time they want to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for assistance if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and give you advice on the right size flap to purchase.
Draw the shape of the hole on your door once you have your measurements. This will aid you when you're cutting the hole and save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap on a patio door, it is important that the hole isn't too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
It is best to leave the installation of a cat flap on glass doors to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass and you could discover that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want without you having to leave him home on his own. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which is not healthy for you or your cat.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These doors are made from different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before you install a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough and have insulation. They are more resistant to the weather than other types of doors, but it isn't easy to install a cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner before beginning.
You'll have to measure their height to ensure that they can pass through the door. This will be easiest when they're sleeping or calm, so that they don't move around too much. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This location can be outlined on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you have to be careful. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's highly advisable to hire an expert glazier to install your cat flap into the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap will come with a template that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole needs to be. If it doesn't, you could create your own with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape is drawn in pencil on the door you can then use your spirit level to make sure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being in a position to slide open or close.
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. After the hole has been cut then place the flap against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves smoothly. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or a rasp to fix this.
Make sure there aren't any gas or electric pipes inside the door you plan to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door which must be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to scratch these objects during the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that isn't easily removed, this can make the task.
For these kinds of jobs, it's worth getting expert advice from a cat flap fitter. It is important to do them correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is essential to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.
Fit the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap and check whether it opens and fits. If you find any points that catch or stick, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they are able to fit and can be opened without issue. Make sure the flap is aligned with the door.
Some kits come with an example of this, however, if it doesn't provide a template, you could use a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper against the door and draw the area where you'll will need to place the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these are the screw holes you'll use to fit it in the right position.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. But, if your door is made of GRP or a composite material, it can be more challenging. If you're not familiar with this then it may be advisable to hire a professional to do the job for you. They can also provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
repairmywindowsanddoors can fit a cat flap into composite doors but it's important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner before you do so since any modifications to these doors could void the warranty. If you do decide to complete the task yourself, be aware that this could be messy and dangerous task.
With composite doors, you'll generally need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door's frame rather than just through the GRP. This can be a dangerous job, and you'll require extra care to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole in any type of door glass is a lot more difficult than making the same change in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.