Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally active. A flap can aid in reducing the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for cats to leave the house if required.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go at their own pace, without opening the door for them. This makes it perfect for keeping them in the home when you're away and helps keep unwanted pests from the house as well!
It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures you get the right size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or large and your cat will struggle to use it.
Take a ruler, and measure the width at several points along the edge of the door. Also, take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. A door that is too tall can cause your cat to perform a gymnast routine every time it uses the flap.
Ask a glazier for assistance 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, and will help you decide on the size of flap to buy.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw the shape of the hole in the door. This will assist you when you cut the hole, and will save you money!
Make sure you make the hole in the right location. For instance, if fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, as this can cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors it is best to leave this task to a glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. It is also possible that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want, without needing to leave him all by himself. It can also help to keep draughts out of your house, which aren't good for you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. upvc door panel with cat flap fitted of doors are often made from different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is quite different too. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other doors, but they can be difficult to install the cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner before starting.
To ensure that your cat is able to pass through the door, you'll need measure their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they aren't moving around. Once you know their height and weight, you can determine the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. Then, you can mark this location on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The process of drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly when the area is made of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in the cat flap inside the pane. This will prevent the glass from shattering or becoming fragile. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
If not, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you can make your own with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been penciled in on the door, you can use your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut the shape that has been drawn on the door. Make sure that 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 then place the flap against it and open it to make sure the flap moves smoothly. If it binds at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes within the door you're planning to cut into. The jigsaw may damage them. You should also be aware of any handles or other fittings on the door which have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items during the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, which means they won't have to deal with these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that isn't easily removed, this will complicate the job.
For these types of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat flap fitter. It is important to do them correctly to avoid any future issues. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Fit the Flap
After you've cut your hole, put the flap and check if it opens and is able to fit. If you notice any spots that stick or catch to the door, smooth them out using an sandpaper or hand file until it fits properly and opens with no issues. Be sure that the flap is aligned with the door.
Some kits include a template for this however, if it doesn't provide a template, you could make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. 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 every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw points that will be used to secure it in place.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If the door is made of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it's best to hire a professional. They can also inform you if the door is suitable for installing a cat flap.
If you're planning to install a cat flap on composite doors, it is essential to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may cause the warranty to be void. If you choose to carry out the work yourself, be aware that this can be a messy and potentially dangerous task.
With composite doors, you'll typically need to use the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll need to take great care not to hurt the door or yourself as it is extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to make the door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood doors.