Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat move around the house at will is an excellent method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the house when needed.

Take a look at the Door

A cat flap in upvc door cost flap lets your pet to move around at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet safe in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.

It is important to examine the door's measurements to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are many sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the correct size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it may be too large or small, and your cat could have trouble using it.

Before doing anything however, you should use a ruler to measure the length of the door in various places along its edges. You should also determine the height of the door in a few places. A door that is too high can cause your cat to perform a gymnast routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.

Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They should be able to help you determine whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap, and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to buy.

Mark out the shape of your hole on the door once you have your measurements. This will aid you when cutting the hole, and will save you money!

You should also make sure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. If you're installing the cat flap onto an outdoor door, it's vital that the hole does not reach too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or issues with the seal.

If you have a glass door it is best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to install the double glazing cat flap 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 come and go whenever they wish without needing to leave him all by himself. It also helps stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!

If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed with different materials than standard 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, be sure that it is compatible and that you've checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties.

They are designed to be durable and tough, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to fit the cat 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 in order to ensure that they can pass through the door. This will be easiest when they're asleep or calm so that they aren't moving around too much. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. You can then mark this spot on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your upvc door panel with cat flap or composite door, you need be cautious. The act of drilling into metal could cause cracks, particularly if the area is toughened glass. This is why it's highly advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat flap step, which will be less likely to crack and is safer for your cat flap installers to use.

Cut the Hole

If it does not, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been penciled on the door, use your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to be properly seated in the door and prevent it from being in a position to slide open or closed.

Next, use your jigsaw, and cut the design that was drawn on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such If not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. After the hole has been cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound at any point, use the filer or the rasp to remove it.

Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you're planning to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Be aware of any handles or other fixtures that are on the door which will need to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items during the process.

Most people who install the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door and so won't have to deal with any of these problems. If your door is made of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, it will add to the complexity of the task.

For these kinds of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is crucial to perform them correctly to avoid problems in the future. Getting it wrong can cause the door to be damaged and could cause the warranty to be invalidated.

Fit the Flap

Once you've got the hole drilled, place the flap on to check whether it can be opened easily. If you spot any areas that catch or stick, file them down with the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it is Fitting a cat flap in a upvc door (postheaven.net) perfect fit and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap is in a flush position with the door.

If your kit doesn't include templates, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line in order to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to use to fix the flap to the door.

Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore easy to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar with this then it may be wise to get an expert to complete the work for you. They will also be able to help you determine whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap installation.

If you are planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to these doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to carry out the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and dangerous job.

When you have composite doors, you'll generally require a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this can be very dangerous and you'll need to take great care not to harm the door or yourself as it's extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to make the door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.