Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to move around the house as it pleases is an excellent way to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. 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 is required to.

Measure the Door

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

It is important to measure the door before you purchase a cat flap since there are different sizes available. This ensures that you get the right size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or large for your cat and he will have trouble using it.

Before you take any action but use a ruler to take measurements of the length of the door in a variety of places along its edge. Also, take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. fitting a cat flap in a upvc door door that is too tall will cause your cat to do an acrobatics routine each time it uses the flap.

Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They will be able to help you determine whether or the door you have is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to purchase.

Once you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw out the shape of the hole in the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making a mistake that could cost you money in the future!

Make sure you make the hole in the correct position. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap on the patio door, it is important that the hole isn't too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.

If you have an opening made of glass you could want to delegate this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to install the cat flap onto the glass pane and you could 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 leave and come back whenever they wish without needing to leave him all by himself. It can also keep draughts out of your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!

If you own a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install the cat flap installers near me flap. These types of doors are often made with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different as well. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it is compatible and you have checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could cause the warranty to be invalidated.

In general, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, however it isn't easy to install a cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional jointer prior to starting.

You'll have to measure their height in order to ensure they pass through the door. This is easiest when they're asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too often. Once you have their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This location is marked on the door.

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

Cut the Hole

A good cat flap will come with a drawing template that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, create your own by with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape has been drawn on the door, use your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is properly positioned in the door, and it won't slide open or close.

Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut the design that was marked on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade that is 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. Once the hole is made then place the flap against it and open it, making sure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound at any point, you can use a filer or rasp to correct this.

Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're planning to cut into. Your jigsaw could damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch them during this process.

Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, meaning they will not have to face these problems. However, if your door is made from wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, this could add to the complexity of the task.

For these types of jobs, it's worth getting expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting a cat flap in a upvc door expert. It is crucial to complete the job correctly to avoid any future issues. Making the wrong choice could cause the door to be damaged, which could make it impossible to honor the warranty.

Fit the Flap

After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap on to see whether it will fit and is able to open easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, file them down with the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is in line with the door.

Some kits include an example of this, however, even if yours does not, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Lay the paper against the door and draw the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you traced on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to fix the flap in place.

The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If your door is made of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this then it may be beneficial to engage a professional to do the job for you. They will also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your door is suitable for cat flap installation.

If you're planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, you need to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to the doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that it can be a messy job and could be dangerous.

You'll require a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this can be extremely dangerous work and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself since it is very fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole in any type of door glass is much more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.