Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically engaged. A flap can reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for the cat to leave the home when necessary.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want without having to open the door. This is ideal for keeping them in when you're home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!

It is important to measure the door before you purchase a cat flap as there are various sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the proper size for the door you have. Otherwise, it may be too big or small and fitting a cat flap in A upvc door your cat may have trouble using it.

Use a ruler to take measurements of the width at various points along the edge of the door. Also, you should measure the door's height in a couple of places. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!

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

Draw the outline of the hole on your door once you have the measurements. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole out and will stop you from making an error that will cost you money in the future!

You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. For instance, if fitting a cat flap in a upvc door the cat flap cover for winter flap in the patio door, it's important that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.

If you have a glass door, it might be best to let this job to a glazier. It can be very tricky to insert the cat flap onto the glass pane and you could find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want, without having to leave him home on his own. It also helps keep draughts out of your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!

If you do have a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These types of doors are often made from different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different, too. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it is compatible and that you have consulted the manufacturer because alterations could invalidate any warranties.

Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. 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 uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner before beginning.

To ensure that your cat is able to pass through the door, you'll need take a measurement of their height. It's easier to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they aren't moving 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 be. This location is marked on the door.

If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly when the area is made of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ a glass installer when installing the cat flap inside a pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the cat flap, which is less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use.

Cut the Hole

A high-quality cat flap bifold doors flap will come with a template drawing that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door, then use your spirit level to make sure that the shape is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to sit properly in the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or closed.

Next, use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was drawn 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 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 on any points then make use of a file or a rasp to fix it.

Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes in the door you're planning to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Be aware of any handles, or other fixtures on the door that must be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to scratch these objects during the process.

The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door and so won't have to deal with any of these issues. But, if your door is made of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, this could add to the complexity of the job.

It is always worth seeking assistance from an expert cat flap installation in glass doors near me flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is essential to do them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. Making the wrong choice could cause the door to be damaged and may invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

Once you've made your hole, you can place the flap to check whether it opens and is able to fit. If you notice any points which catch or stick 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 the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.

Some kits come with an example of this, but even if yours doesn't have a template, you can use a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. 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 will be the screw points you'll use to fit it into place.

Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. But, if your door is made from GRP or a composite, it can be more challenging. If you're not familiar with this, it might be advisable to hire a professional to handle the work for you. They will also be able to inform you if the door is suitable for the installation of an animal flap.

You can fit the cat flap fitters flap onto composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner before you do so since any modifications to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that it can be a messy job and could be dangerous.

With composite doors, you'll generally need to use the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll have to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself since it is very fragile. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to cut a hole in a door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood door.