Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house whenever it wants is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for the cat to leave the house when required.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This makes it perfect to keep them in the house when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests from the home too!

It is essential to take measurements of the door to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size that fits into your upvc door, otherwise, it might be too small or large, and your cat may struggle to use it.

Use a ruler to take measurements of the width at various places along the edges of the door. You should also take measurements of the door's height in a few places. A door that is too tall can cause your cat to perform an acrobatics routine each time it is tempted to use the flap.

Get help from a glazier when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They'll be able to determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will help you decide on the size of flap to buy.

Draw the outline of your hole on the door after you have taken your measurements. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole out and will prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!

You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. If you are Fitting A Cat Flap In A Upvc Door a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's vital that the hole doesn't reach too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.

It is best to delegate the installation of the cat flap on glass cat flap installation near me doors to an experienced glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat flap insulation-flap into an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap permits your pet to move around whenever they want without needing to leave them to themselves. It can also help to stop draughts from entering your home, which isn't bad for you or your cat!

If you do have a uPVC or composite door it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you think about installing the cat flap fitters near me flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.

These doors are typically designed to be tough and durable with insulation. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of doors, however it isn't easy to install an animal flap. If you're unsure about whether your upvc door panel with cat flap fitted or composite door can accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional jointer prior to starting.

You'll have to measure their height in order to make sure they fit through the door. It's easier to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so they don't move around. Once you have their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This position can be marked on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you need to be careful. The act of drilling into the metal may cause it to crack, especially in the case of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to employ a glazier when installing your cat flap inside the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier is also capable of providing you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If it does not however, you can make one yourself with a sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it does not then you can make one using the thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door you can then use a spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the door, and it won't slide open or close.

Then, you can make use of a jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Use a blade designed specifically for uPVC door use. It is usually marked with this information. If not you can ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap against it and then push it open to make sure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use a filer or rasp to fix this.

It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes inside the door that you will be cutting through, because they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fittings on the door which have to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items in the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid uPVC front door, meaning they will not have to face these problems. If your door is made from timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, this could increase the difficulty of the job.

It is always advisable to seek expert help from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs because it is crucial to get them done right to avoid potential issues in the future. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and may cause the warranty to be invalidated.

Place the Flap

After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to test whether it opens easily. If you notice any points that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they fit properly and can be opened without issue. Make sure that the flap is flush with the door too.

Some kits come with a template for 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 on the door, and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These will be the screw points that you'll need to fix it in place.

Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore easy to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar with this then it may be beneficial to engage a professional to do the job for you. They will also be able to determine if your door is suitable to install the cat flap.

You can fit the cat flap onto composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner before you do so as any alterations to these doors could void the warranty. If you do decide to complete the task yourself, remember that it can be messy and possibly dangerous task.

For composite doors, you'll usually need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame rather than simply through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will have to be extra careful to ensure that the door is not damaged. It is important to note that it's much more difficult to cut the door glass than in a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.