Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house whenever it wants is a great method to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they'd like without needing to open the door. This makes it perfect to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests from the home as well!
It is important to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap since there are a variety of sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too big or small and your cat may have difficulty using it.
Take a ruler, and take measurements of the width at various locations along the edge of the door. Also, measure the door's height in a couple of places. This is because a 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 how to measure the door, it may be best to ask for assistance from a glazier, or someone who does this type of work frequently. They'll be able assist you in determining whether or the door you have is suitable for a cat flap, and advise you on the right size of flap you should purchase.
Draw the shape of your hole on the door once you have your measurements. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the future!
Make sure to put holes in the right place. For instance, if installing the cat flap on the patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.
If you have a glass door it is best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to install the cat flap onto the glass pane, and you may discover that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to move around as they please without you needing to leave them to themselves. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat or you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap fitters flap. These doors are made of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can cause warranty issues.
In general, these kinds of doors are made to be tough and durable and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other doors, however they can be a challenge to insert the cat flap in bifold doors flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner before starting.
You'll have to measure the height of your child to ensure that they can fit through the door. It is easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so they don't move around. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. This location can be outlined on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in a cat flap in a pane. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming fragile. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap bifold doors flap should come with a template drawing that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole needs to be. If it doesn't, make your own with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, utilize your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening, and Fitting A Cat Flap In A Upvc Door it will not open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the shape that has been marked on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. After the hole has been cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it, making sure that the flap moves easily. If it binds on any points then use a file or rasp to fix it.
Also, make sure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes within the door that you will be cutting through since they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap. Be careful not to damage them during this process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid uPVC front door, so they won't be faced with these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that is not easily removed, this can make the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert advice from fitting a cat flap in a upvc door cat-flap fitter. It is essential to do them correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is crucial to do it right because making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and void the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you've got your hole cut, put the flap in place to test whether it will fit and is able to open easily. If you find any points that catch or stick, file them down with the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is in line 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 draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These will be the screws will be used to secure the flap to the door.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If your door is constructed of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this then it may be advisable to hire a professional to handle the job for you. They will also be able inform you if the door is suitable for installing a cat flap.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is important to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to the doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be messy and could be dangerous.
With composite doors, you'll typically require the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself since it is extremely fragile. It's important to remember 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 uPVC or solid timber door.