Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at its own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally engaged. Having a flap can also aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it needs to.

Measure the Door

A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without you having to open the door. This is a great method to keep your pet inside the house when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering.

It is essential to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap as there are various sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it might be too small or too large and your cat will be unable to use it.

Before doing anything but take a ruler and determine the width of the door in several locations along its edge. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few places. This is because doors that are too high will cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!

If you're not sure of how much to install a cat flap to measure the door, it may be best to seek assistance from a glazier or someone who performs this type of work often. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and advise you on what size flap you should purchase.

After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the outline of the hole on the door. This will provide you with an idea of how much to install a cat flap to cutting the hole out and will stop you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the future!

You should also make sure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. 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 is not too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.

If you have glass doors it is best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be a challenge to fit a cat flap inside an existing 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 allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to leave them home alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't good for you or your cat.

If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer if it is compatible prior to installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may be detrimental to warranties.

These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable, with insulation. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, but it isn't always easy to install the cat flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap onto a upvc door panels with cat flap door or composite.

To ensure that your cat can access the door, you'll need measure their height. It's easier to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so they don't sway around. Once you've determined their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. You can then mark this position on the door.

If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal can cause it to crack, especially in the case of toughened glass. This is why it's highly recommended to employ a glazier when installing your cat flap into the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier is also in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If it doesn't, you can make one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). Once the shape has been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the opening and will not slide open or close.

Next, take your jigsaw and cut out the shape drawn on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade 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 made and the flap section is in place, put it against it and then push it open to make sure that the flap's action is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to fix it.

You should also check whether there are no electrical gas or cable lines within the door that you will be cutting through, as they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed to install the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them in the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid uPVC front door, meaning they won't be faced with these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that cannot be removed, this will complicate the task.

It is always worth seeking assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is essential to do them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. If you do it wrong, it could lead to the door being damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.

Place the Flap

After you've made the hole drilled, place the flap in place to check whether it will fit and opens easily. If you find any points that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they are able to fit and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.

Some kits include an example of this, however, even if yours does not have a template, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper against the door and mark a line where you want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark out four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these will be the screws you'll use to fit it in the right position.

Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then this can be more complicated. If you're not familiar with this, it is best to hire an expert. They will also be able inform you if the door is suitable for installing an animal flap.

You can install a cat flap into composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first because any changes to these types of doors could void the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be a messy job and even dangerous.

You'll require a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors rather than only the GRP. Be aware that this can be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take great care not to damage the door or yourself as it is very fragile. It's important to remember that it's more difficult to make the door glass than in a uPVC door or solid wood door.