Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

Allowing your cat flap bifold doors to enter and go out of the home at its own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically engaged. A flap can aid in reducing the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for the cat to leave the house if needed.

Measure the Door

A cat flap lets your pet to go and come whenever they want without opening the door for them. This makes it perfect to keep them in the house the home when you're away and helps to keep unwanted pests from the house as well!

It is important to measure the door prior to when you buy the cat flap, as there are a variety of sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size that fits into your upvc door, otherwise, it could 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 points along the edge of the door. Also, you should take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!

Ask a glazier for assistance when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They will be able to assist you in determining whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to buy.

When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw the outline of the hole on the door. This will aid you when cutting the hole and save you money!

You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is placed in the right spot. For instance, if installing the cat flap inside the patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to hinges, since 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 install the cat flap onto the glass pane, and you may be surprised to find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap lets your pet move around as they wish without needing to leave him alone. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat flap installer or you.

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These kinds of doors are often made of different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different as well. Before you think about installing a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturer because alterations could affect any warranties.

Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, however they can be a challenge to insert the cat flap. Get advice from fitting A cat flap professional before installing a cat flap installer flap on the uPVC door or composite.

To ensure that your cat is able to get through the door, you'll need to measure their height. This will be easiest if they are sleeping 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 the position of the bottom of the flap. Then, you can mark this position on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you will need be extra cautious. Drilling into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to employ an expert glazier to install your cat flap inside a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming fragile. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A good quality cat flap comes with a template that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, you can make one using the thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, you can use your spirit level and make sure that it is horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to be properly seated in the door and prevent it from being able to slide open or close.

Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the shape marked on the door. Make sure that 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 the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap up against it and push it open to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, use a file or rasp to fix this.

You should also check whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes inside the door that you will be cutting into as they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that need to be removed in order to install the cat flaps flap. You should be careful not to damage them during the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid uPVC door and will not have to worry about any of these problems. However, if your door is made of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed then this will add to the complexity of the job.

It is always worth seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is crucial to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. It is essential to get it right, as doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty.

Place the Flap

Once you've got the hole drilled, place the flap on to see if it fits and can be opened easily. If you find any points that catch or stick, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure that the flap is in a flush position with the door.

Some kits include a template for this but even if yours doesn't, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Lay the paper against the door and draw an area on which you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark out four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these are the screw holes you'll use to fit it into place.

Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If your door is constructed of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar with this, it might be advisable to hire a professional to do the work for you. They can also advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.

If you are planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.

When you have composite doors, you'll usually require the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll have to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself as it is very fragile. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any type of glass for a door is much more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.