Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to move around the house at will is an excellent method to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the home when necessary.

Take a measurement of the door

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

It's important to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap since there are different sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the right size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it could be too large or too small and your cat might have trouble using it.

Before you take any action but take a ruler and measure the width of the door in a variety of places along its edges. You should also take measurements of the height of the door in a few spots. A door that is too high can cause your cat to perform a gymnast routine every time it uses the flap.

Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They will be able to assist you in determining whether the door you have is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap you should purchase.

Draw the shape of the hole on the door once you have the measurements. This will give you a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!

Make sure that you put holes in the right position. For example, if you're installing the cat flap on the patio door, you must ensure that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.

It is best to delegate the task of installing a cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be a challenge to fit the cat flap onto an existing glass pane and you could discover that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap cost flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without you needing to leave him alone. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which isn't healthy for your cat as well as you.

If you own a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the installation is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.

These doors with cat flap are generally designed to be tough and durable with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they can be a challenge to insert an animal flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or composite.

You'll need to take the height of your child to ensure that they can fit through the door. It's easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so they don't move around. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the location of the flap's bottom. This position can be marked on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you need to be careful. Cutting into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage a glazier when installing your cat flap in a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming hard. A Glazier is also able to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A high-quality cat flap comes with a template that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to be. If it doesn't, create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to properly fit into the opening and prevent it being in fitting a cat flap in a upvc door position to slide open or close.

Then, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once you have the hole drilled then place the flap against it and push it out to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it is bound at any point, you can use the filer or the rasp to remove it.

Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're going to cut into. The jigsaw may damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed to fit the cat flap. You should be careful not to damage them during the process.

Most people who install a cat flap themselves will have the standard solid uPVC door and so will not be dealing with any of these issues. However, if your door is constructed of timber or has decorative panels that cannot be removed then this will add to the complexity of the task.

For these types of jobs, it's recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat flap fitter. It is important to complete the job correctly to avoid any future issues. It is essential to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap on to check whether it opens easily. If you notice any spots that catch or stick, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens without issue. Make sure that the flap sits in a flush position with the door.

If your kit doesn't have a template, you can use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. Lay the paper against the door and mark a line where you need to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes on each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screw holes you'll need to use to fix it in place.

The majority of upvc door panel with cat flap fitted doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not experienced 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 the cat flap.

You can install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first since any modifications to these types of doors could void the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and dangerous job.

You'll require an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors, rather than just the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will have to be extra careful to avoid damaging the door. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to create holes in door glass than it is for a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.