Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at its own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the house when needed.

Take a look at the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go at their own pace, without opening the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the home when you are away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering.

It is essential to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap as there are different sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the proper size for your upvc doors. In the event that it is not, it could be too big or small and your cat may be unable to use it.

Before you do anything, though, take a ruler and take measurements of the length of the door in a variety of places along its edges. Also, you should measure the height of the door in a few spots. A door that is too high will make your cat do a gymnast routine every time it uses the flap.

If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it could be best to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this kind of work frequently. They'll be able help you determine whether or the door you have is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to buy.

Mark out the shape of the hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will aid you when cutting the hole and will save you money!

It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. For example, if you're fitting a cat flap in a upvc door the cat flap in the patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.

It is best to delegate the job of installing a cat flap on a glass door to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to fit a cat flap into an existing glass pane and you might find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap permits your pet to come and go whenever they like without needing to leave them to themselves. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat as well as you.

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you consider fitting a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it is compatible and that you've checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could invalidate any warranties.

They are designed to last and are tough with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to install a cat flap into. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional jointer prior to beginning.

You'll need to take their height to make sure they fit through the door. This is easier if they are sleeping or calm, so that they're not moving around too much. Once you've determined their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. This position can be marked on the door.

If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage an expert glazier to install your cat flap in a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole to use for the cat flap, which is less likely to crack and is safer for your kitty to use.

Cut the Hole

A good quality cat flap will come with a drawing template that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, create your own by using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape has already been penciled on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap installer flap sits properly in the door, and it will not open or close.

Next, use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was written on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be labelled accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is cut and the flap is placed against it and open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it binds at any point, you can use a filer or a rasp to fix this.

You should also check whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes inside the door you'll be cutting through since they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed to install the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them during this process.

Most people who install a cat flap themselves will have the standard 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 part that cannot be 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 essential to do the job done correctly to avoid possible issues in the future. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged and may invalidate the warranty.

Install the Flap

Once you have cut your hole, put the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you spot any areas that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using an sandpaper or hand file until it is a perfect fit and opens with no issues. Make sure that the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.

Some kits come with a template for this however, even if yours does not have a template, you can use a piece or thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and draw a line in order to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Make four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These will be the screws you'll need to use to fix it in place.

The majority of upvc door panel with cat flap doors are strong and easy to cut. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it might be advisable to hire an expert to complete the job for you. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap installation.

You can fit a cat flap into composite doors. However, it's essential to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so since any modifications to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you do decide to do the work yourself, remember that this can be messy and possibly dangerous task.

With composite doors, you'll usually need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself as it's extremely fragile. It's also important to note that cutting holes into any type of glass for a door is far more difficult than making the same change in the case of a replacement upvc door panels with cat flap or solid wood door.