Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to come and go from the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically active. A flap can reduce the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for the cat to leave the house when needed.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to go and come as they please without having to open the door for them. This makes it ideal to keep them in the house when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the house as well!

It is essential to measure the door to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the right 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.

Get a ruler and measure the width at several points along the edge of the door. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few spots. This is because a door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast's routine every time they need to use the flap!

Ask a glazier for assistance when you're unsure of how much to install a cat flap to measure the door. They will be able to help you determine whether or the door you have is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap you should purchase.

After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is mark the outline of the hole on the door. This will help you when cutting the hole, and will save you money!

You must also ensure that the hole you're making is in the correct place. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap inside the patio door, you must ensure that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.

If you have an opening made of glass, it might be best to leave this task to a glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want, without having to leave him alone. It can also help to stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!

If you own a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different as well. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if the door is compatible prior to installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.

They are designed to be tough and durable, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, but they may be difficult to fit a cat flap into. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.

You'll need to take the height of your child to ensure they pass through the door. It is easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they don't move around. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. This position can be marked on the door.

If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. The process of drilling into the metal may cause it to crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap inside a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat flap installation bristol. This will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A good quality cat flap comes with a drawing template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, you can make your own with fitting a cat flap in a upvc door thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, then use a spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the opening, and it won't slide open or close.

Then, employ a jigsaw for cutting out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed specifically for uPVC doors. It will usually be labeled with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for help. Once you have the hole made and the flap section is in place, put it up against it and push it open to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it becomes stuck on any point, then make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.

Also, make sure 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. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap cost flap. You should be cautious not to scratch them during the process.

Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that cannot be removed, it will make the task.

For these types of jobs, it is worth getting expert advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. It is important to do it right because making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.

Fit the Flap

Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap to see if it opens and is able to fit. If you find any points which catch or stick, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they fit perfectly and open without any problems. Be sure that the flap is aligned with the door.

If your kit doesn't include an example, you could use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these are the screw holes you'll use to fit it into place.

Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore simple to cut into. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it is recommended to consult an expert. They can also inform you if the door is suitable for installing a cat flap.

It is possible to install the cat flap onto composite doors, but it is important to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first because any changes to these types of doors may invalidate the warranty. If you choose to complete the task yourself, remember that this can be a messy and potentially hazardous task.

You'll require an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors rather than just the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will require extra care to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any type of glass for a door is a lot more difficult than making the same change in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.