Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to move around the house as it pleases is a great method to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing toileting incidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house if necessary.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go as they please without having to open the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet safe in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from entering.
It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it could be too small or large and your cat will have trouble using it.
Take a ruler, and measure the width at several places along the edges of the door. You should also determine the door's height in a few spots. A door that is too tall will cause your cat to do an exercise routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.
Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of what to measure for the door. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and help you decide on the size of flap you should purchase.
Draw the outline of the hole on your door once you have the measurements. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the long run!
Make sure you make the hole in the correct location. If you are fitting a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or 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 install a cat flap inside 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 lets your pet come and go whenever they want, without having to leave him home on his own. back door with cat flap fitted can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat or you.
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different, too. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before you install the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can invalidate warranties.
In general, these kinds of doors are made to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, however they can be a challenge to insert the cat flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat is able to pass through the door, you'll need take a measurement of their height. It's easier to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so they aren't moving around. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. You can then mark this position on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you need be cautious. Drilling 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 the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming fragile. A Glazier will also be able to provide you with a cat flap that is less likely to break and 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 will be. If it isn't, you can make one using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape is drawn in pencil on the door you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the door, and it will not slide open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Make sure you are 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 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 is moving smoothly. If it is bound on any points then use a file or rasp to fix it.
It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes inside the door you'll be cutting into as they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Additionally, 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 and be cautious not to scratch them during this process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have the standard solid uPVC front door, meaning they won't be faced with these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative piece that is not easily removed, it will make the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat flap fitter. It is important to complete the job correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is crucial to get it right, as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and void the warranty.
Fit the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and is able to fit. If you notice any spots that stick or catch, file them down with the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens without issue. Make sure the flap is flush with the door too.
If your kit doesn't include templates, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Lay the paper against the door and mark the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've made on the door, draw four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these will be the screws that you'll use to secure the flap into the correct position.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. But, if your door is made of GRP or a composite material, this may be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it's best to hire an expert. They can also advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.
You can install a cat flap into 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 complete the task yourself, remember that this could be messy and dangerous job.
You'll need to use a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this can be very dangerous and you'll need to take great care not to hurt the door or yourself since it is very fragile. It is important to note that it's more difficult to make the door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.