Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to move around the house whenever it wants is an excellent method to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. Having a flap can also aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it is required to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet safe in the house when you are away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.
It's important to measure the door before you buy a cat flap as there are various sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the right size for the door you have. Otherwise, it could be too large or too small and your cat may have trouble using it.
Before you do anything however, you should use a ruler to take measurements of the width of the door in a variety of places along its edges. Also, measure the door's height in a couple of places. This is because doors that are too high could cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they use the flap!
Get help from a glazier when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They'll be able assist you in determining whether the door you have is suitable for a cat flap and help you decide on the best size of flap to purchase.
Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw the shape of the hole on the door. This will help you when cutting the hole and save you money!
Make sure you make the hole in the right place. For instance, if installing the cat flap inside the patio door, it's important that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.
It is best to leave the job of installing the cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat flap inside an existing glass pane, and you may 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 move around as they wish without having to leave him home alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat as well as you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install a cat flap. These types of doors are often made with different materials than standard 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 you have checked with the manufacturer because alterations could affect 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 a challenge to insert an animal flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to beginning.
You'll need to take the height of your child to ensure they pass through the door. This is easiest if they are sleeping or calm, so that they're not moving around too often. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. You can then mark this position on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be very careful when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap inside the glass pane. This will stop the glass from breaking or becoming fragile. A glazier will also be capable of providing you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap should come with a template drawing that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole will be. If it doesn't, make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, use your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to sit properly in the opening and stop it from being capable of sliding open or close.
Then, employ a jigsaw for cutting out the shape marked 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 the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole made, place the flap section up against it and push it out to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds on any points then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.
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 that are on the door which have to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items in the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door, and therefore will not be dealing with any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative element that isn't easily removed, this will complicate the task.
For these kinds of jobs, it's worth getting expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. cat flap step is essential to do them correctly to avoid any future issues. Getting it wrong can cause the door to be damaged and may invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, put the flap to check if it opens and fits well. If you find any points which catch or stick, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they are able to fit and open without difficulty. Be sure that the flap is flush with the door.
If your kit doesn't include an example, you could make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door and mark the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These are the screw holes you'll use to put it into the right position.
The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. However, if the door is made of GRP or a composite then it can be more challenging. If you're not experienced with this, it might be advisable to hire a professional to do the job for you. They can also tell you if your door is suitable to install the cat flap.
You can fit a cat flap into composite doors, but it is important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner first since any modifications to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the task yourself, be aware that this can be messy and hazardous task.
When you have composite doors, you'll usually need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself rather than simply through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will require extra care to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's important to remember that cutting a hole in any type of door glass is much more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid wooden door.