Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come 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 the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for cats to leave the house when necessary.
Take a look at the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want without having to open the door. This is ideal for keeping them in the home when you're away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of the home as well!
It is essential to measure the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size that fits into your upvc door, otherwise, it might be too small or too large for your cat and he will have trouble using it.
Before doing anything, though, use a ruler to measure the length of the door in a variety of locations along its edge. You should also take measurements of the door's height in a couple of places. This is because a door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast's routine every time they need to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. upvc cat flap door panels will be able to assist you in determining whether your door is suitable for a cat flap, and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is mark the outline of the hole in the door. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will stop you from making an error that will cost you money in the future!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is in the right place. For example, if you're installing the cat flap inside the patio door, it's important that the hole is not too close to any hinges, as this can cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have a glass door you could want to let this job to a glazier. It can be a challenge to insert a cat flap into an existing glass pane and you could discover that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want, without needing to leave him alone. It can also keep draughts out of your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These types of doors are typically made with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is quite different too. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, however they can be difficult to fit the cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner prior to beginning.
You'll have to measure their height to ensure they pass through the door. It's easier to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so that they aren't moving around. Once you've established their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. You can then mark this location on the door.
When using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you need be cautious. The act of drilling into metal could cause cracks, particularly if the area is toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire a glass installer when installing an e-cat flap on the pane. This will stop the glass from breaking or becoming hard. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole to use for the cat flap, which is less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it doesn't however, you can make one yourself by using a piece of paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it isn't, you can make one using the thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door, then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being capable of sliding open or closed.
Next, take your jigsaw, and cut the shape marked 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, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once you have the hole made then place the flap against it and push it open to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to correct this.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes within the door you're planning to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Similarly 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 careful not to damage them in the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, so they won't have to deal with these problems. However, if your door is made from timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will make it more difficult to complete the task.
For these types of jobs, it is important to get guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is crucial to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. It is important to get it right as doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty.
Place the Flap
After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to see whether it will fit and can be opened easily. If you find any points that stick or catch or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper, to file them down until they are able to fit and can be opened without issue. Make sure the flap is in a flush position with the door.
Some kits come with a template for this however, even if yours does not, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and mark a line where you need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at 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 in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. If your door is made of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it might be advisable to hire a professional to handle the job for you. They can also help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, you need to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be messy and even dangerous.
For composite doors, you'll usually require 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 can be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take great care not to damage the door or yourself as it is very fragile. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to create the door glass than in a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.