Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house whenever it wants is a great way 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 if necessary.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you having to open the door. This is ideal to keep them inside the home when you're away and helps keep unwanted pests from the home as well!

It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or large for your cat and he will have trouble using it.

Use a ruler to take measurements of the width at various locations along the edge of the door. Also, determine the door's height in a couple of places. This is because the door that is too high could cause your cat to do an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they need to use the flap!

Get help from a glazier when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They can determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will give you advice on the right size flap you should purchase.

Once you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to mark the shape of the hole in the door. This will give you an idea of how to cutting the hole out and will prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the future!

Make sure you make the hole in the correct location. If you're fitting a cat flap in a upvc door an apex flap to a patio door it is important that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.

If you have glass doors, it might be best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You might also discover that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap Fitting flap lets your pet move around as they want, without having to leave him on his own. It also helps stop draughts from entering your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it may be difficult to install the cat 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, too. Before you decide to install a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturer because alterations could invalidate any warranties.

Generally speaking, these types of doors are made to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to the elements than other kinds of doors, but it isn't always easy to install an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door cat flap door will accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner before beginning.

To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll have to determine their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so they aren't moving around. Once you've established their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. This location can be outlined on the door.

If you are using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you need be cautious. The process of drilling into metal could cause cracks, particularly when the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to employ an expert glazier to install your cat flap in glass. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming hard. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole 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 however, you can make one yourself by using a piece of paper that is thin (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you can create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening, and it won't slide open or close.

Next, use your jigsaw, and cut the design that was written on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. After the hole has been cut then place the flap against it and then open it to ensure that the flap moves easily. If it binds at any point, you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.

Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you plan to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door which will need to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items during the process.

Most people who fit a cat flap themselves will have the standard solid uPVC door and fitting a cat flap in a upvc door so will not have to worry about any of these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative part that is not easily removed, this will complicate the task.

It is always worthwhile seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs as it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.

Place the Flap

After you've cut your hole, place the flap and check whether it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they are able to fit and can be opened without issue. Make sure that the flap is aligned with the door.

If your kit doesn't include a template, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes on every 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 the flap in place.

The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite then it can be more challenging. If you are not familiar with this, it is recommended to consult an expert. They can also determine if your door is suitable for installing 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 prior to making any changes since any modifications to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you choose to complete the task yourself, remember that it can be a messy and potentially hazardous task.

For composite doors, you'll typically require a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel rather than simply through the GRP. This can be a dangerous task, and you'll need to take extra care to not damage the door. It is important to note that it's much more difficult to cut a hole in a door glass than in a uPVC door or solid wood door.