Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house as it pleases is an excellent 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 measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to come and go at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet in the house when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering.

It is essential to take measurements of the door to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the right size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it may be too large or small, and your cat could be unable to use it.

Use a ruler to take measurements of the width at various locations along the edge of the door. Also, measure the door's height in a few places. A door that is too tall will cause your cat to do a gymnast routine every time it uses the flap.

If you're unsure of how to measure the door, it could be best to seek assistance from a glazier, or someone who performs this kind of work often. They will be able to assist you in determining whether or the door you have is suitable for a cat flap installation flap and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.

Draw the shape of your hole on the door after you have taken your measurements. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole and will stop you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the future!

Make sure that you put the hole in the right place. For instance, if fitting a cat flap in a upvc door, speaking of, the cat flap in the patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.

If you have glass doors, it might be best to leave this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat flap into the glass pane and you might find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap lets your pet to come and go whenever they like without having to leave them home alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't healthy 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 of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could be detrimental to warranties.

Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are made to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. They are more resistant to the elements than other kinds of door, but it isn't easy to install a cat flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap install flap onto a uPVC door or composite.

To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll have to measure their height. This is easier when they're asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too often. Once you have 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 your composite or upvc door panels with cat flap door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make cracks, particularly if the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's highly advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap in the glass pane. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming brittle. A Glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If not however, you can make one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it isn't, you can create one by using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.

Then, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked accordingly, if not ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it to make sure the flap moves smoothly. If it binds at any point, you can use a filer or a rasp to remove it.

It is also important to ensure whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes within the door that you will be cutting through, as they could be damaged by your jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door that will need to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch these objects during the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid uPVC front door, which means they will not have to face these issues. If your door is made of wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed then this will increase the difficulty of the job.

It is always worth seeking assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is important to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. If you do it wrong, it could cause the door to be damaged, which could make it impossible to honor the warranty.

Install the Flap

Once you have cut your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and fits well. If you find any points that stick or catch, file them down with the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. 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 or thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper against the door and mark an area on which you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw holes will be used to secure the flap in place.

Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar with this then it may be wise to get a professional to handle the work for you. They can also inform you if the door is suitable for installing an animal flap.

You can install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors, but it is important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so because any changes to these doors could void the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be messy and even dangerous.

With composite doors, you'll typically need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel instead of just cutting through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will require extra care to not damage the door. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to cut a hole in a door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood door.