Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to enter and go from the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to move around at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the house when you're away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering.

It is essential to measure the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size that fits inside your door made of upvc door panels with cat flap, otherwise, it might be too small or too large for your cat and he will struggle to use it.

Before doing anything however, you should take a ruler and measure the length of the door in several places along its edges. You should also measure the door's height in a couple of places. A door that is too tall will make your cat do an exercise routine every time it wants to use the flap.

Get help from a glazier when you're unsure of what to measure for the door. They'll be able to determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps (visit the next document), and will give you advice on the right size flap to buy.

Draw the outline of the hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will assist you when you cut the hole and save you money!

It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. If you're fitting a cat flap the cat flap onto the patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or issues with the seal.

If you have an opening made of glass you could want to delegate this task to a glazier. It may be difficult to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap lets your pet leave and come back whenever they wish without having to leave him all by himself. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat or you.

However, if you own a uPVC or cat flaps composite door it could be a challenge to put in a cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed with different materials than standard wooden or upvc door panels with cat flap doors and the procedure for installing them is quite different too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if it is compatible before you install the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may cause warranty issues.

In general, these kinds of doors are made to be tough and durable, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of doors, but it isn't always easy to install an animal flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional jointer prior to beginning.

To ensure that your cat is able to access the door, you'll need to measure their height. This is easier when they're sleeping or calm, so that they aren't moving around too often. Once you have their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This location is 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 process of drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to engage a glazier when installing your cat flap in glass. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming hard. A Glazier is also in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap installers flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If not then you can create one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can create one by using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, then use a spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the door, and it will not slide open or close.

Next, take your jigsaw, and cut the shape that has been written on the door. Make sure that you're 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 your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap against it and then push it open to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it binds at any point, you can use a filer or rasp to remove it.

Also, make sure whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting into as they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will have to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them during this process.

Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid upvc cat flap door panels front door, meaning they won't have to deal with these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that is not easily removed, this will complicate the job.

It is always advisable to seek professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is important to get them right to avoid any potential problems in the future. Getting it wrong can lead to the door being damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.

Install the Flap

Once you have cut your hole, place the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you find any points that catch or stick to the door, smooth them out using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap is flush with the door too.

If your kit doesn't include a template, you can use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line in order to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screws you'll use to fit it into the correct position.

The majority of uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite then this can be more complicated. If you're not familiar with this then it may be wise to get an expert to complete the work for you. They will also be able to inform you if the door is suitable for installing an animal flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, you need to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and possibly dangerous job.

For composite doors, you'll typically require a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this can be very dangerous and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself as it is extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it is much more difficult to cut holes in door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.