Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go from the house at its own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally stimulated. A flap can reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for the cat to leave the house if required.

Take a look at the Door

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

You should measure the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of 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 will be unable to use it.

Before you take any action, though, use a ruler to measure 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 perform the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!

If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it could be best to seek assistance from a glazier, or someone who performs this kind of work frequently. They'll be able to determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and give you advice on the right size flap to buy.

Draw the outline of the hole on your door after you have taken the measurements. This will assist you when cutting the hole and will save you money!

Make sure to put the hole in the right position. For example, if you're fitting a cat flap in a upvc door the cat flap in a patio door, you must ensure that the hole isn't too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.

It is best to leave the installation of the cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to fit the cat flap onto an existing glass pane and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the cat flap fitters

A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they wish without having to leave him all by himself. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat as well as you.

If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed of different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is different, too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could be detrimental to warranties.

They are designed to last and are tough and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, however they can be difficult to install an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door can accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner prior to starting.

You'll have to measure their height to ensure that they can fit through the door. This is easiest when they're asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too much. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. This location is marked on the door.

If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ a glass installer when installing the cat flap inside a pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If it does not, you can make one yourself with a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door you can then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to properly fit into the opening and stop it from being able to slide open or closed.

Next, take your jigsaw and cut out the shape that has been written on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on upvc cat flap door panels doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole made then place the flap up against it and push it open to make sure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or a rasp to correct this.

You should also check whether there are any electric gas or cable lines within the door that you will be cutting through because they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures that are in the door, which have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items while cutting.

Most people who install a cat flap installer near me flap on their own have the standard solid uPVC front door, meaning they won't be faced with these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that isn't easily removed, this will complicate the job.

It is always advisable to seek expert help from a fitting cat flap in upvc door panel flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs since it is crucial to get them right to avoid any potential issues in the future. It is important to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

After you've cut your hole, place the flap and check if it opens and fits well. If you notice any spots that stick or catch, file them down with a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens without issue. Make sure that the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.

Some kits include templates for this, however, even if yours does not provide a template, you could make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to show where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw points that will be used to secure the flap to the door.

Most uPVC doors with cat flap are solid and therefore simple to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're not experienced in this area, it might be wise to get an expert to complete the job for you. They can also advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.

You can fit an opening for a cat flap in 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 choose to complete the task yourself, remember that this could be messy and hazardous task.

With composite doors, you'll usually need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel instead of just cutting through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous task, and you'll require extra care to not damage the door. It's also important to note that cutting a hole into any type of door glass is much more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid wooden door.