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 active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house whenever it wants to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to go and come as they please without having to open the door for them. This makes it ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the home as well!
It is essential to take measurements of the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too large or too small and your cat may have trouble using it.
Before doing anything but use a ruler to measure the width of the door in several places along its edge. You should also measure the height of the door in a few places. This is because the door that is too high can cause your cat to perform a gymnast's routine every time they use the flap!
If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it may be best to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this kind of work frequently. They should be able to assist you in determining whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap and advise you on the right size of flap you should purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is to draw the shape of the hole on the door. This will assist you when you cut the hole, and will save you money!
Make sure you make holes in the right place. If you are fitting a cat flap to the patio door, it is important that the hole does not reach too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or problems with the seal.
It is best to delegate the installation of the cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to insert the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without needing to leave them to themselves. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat as well as you.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if it is compatible prior to installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may cause warranty issues.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, but they can be a challenge to insert an animal flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional jointer prior to beginning.
You'll need to determine their height to ensure that they can fit through the door. This is easier if they are asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too much. Once cat flap in upvc door cost know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the position of the flap's bottom. This location is marked on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important to be very careful when cutting it using power tools. The act of drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly in the case of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap in glass. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it does not then you can create one yourself with a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, create your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape is drawn in pencil on the door you can then use your spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the opening, and it won't slide open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw and cut the shape marked on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be labelled accordingly, if not ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and open it to make sure the flap moves smoothly. If it binds at any point, use a filer or rasp to remove it.
You should also check whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting into since they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that need to be removed in order to install the cat flap. You should be careful not to harm them during this process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid uPVC front door, which means they will not have to face these problems. However, if your door is constructed of wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, this could increase the difficulty of the job.
It is always worthwhile seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is crucial to get them right to avoid any potential problems in the future. It is essential to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap and check if it opens and fits well. If you spot any areas that catch or stick, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they fit properly and open without difficulty. Make sure the flap sits flush with the door too.
If your kit doesn't have a template, you can use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and mark the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw holes will be used to secure the flap in place.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite, this can be more complicated. If you're not experienced with this, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to handle the job for you. They will also be able to inform you if the door is suitable to install a cat flap.
If you want to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may cause the warranty to be void. If you do decide to do the work yourself, remember that this could be messy and hazardous task.
You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors, rather than just the GRP. This can be a dangerous task, and you'll require extra care to not damage the door. It's worth noting that it is much more difficult to cut a hole in a door glass than it is for a uPVC door or a solid wood door.