Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat move around the house whenever it wants is a great way to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is ideal to keep them inside the home when you're away and helps keep unwanted pests from the home as well!
You should measure the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the proper size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it may be too large or small and your cat may have trouble using it.
Before you take any action however, you should take a ruler and determine the length of the door in several places along its edge. Also, you should determine the door's height in a few places. This is because doors that are too high can cause your cat to do an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they need to use the flap!
If you're unsure of how to measure a door, it might be best to ask for assistance from a glazier or someone who is familiar with this type of work regularly. They will be able to assist you in determining whether or the door you have is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to mark the shape of the hole on the door. This will assist you when you cut the hole and save you money!
Make sure to put holes in the right location. If you're fitting an apex flap to an outdoor door, it's vital that the hole does not reach too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors, it might be best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be a challenge to insert a cat flap inside 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 come and go whenever they wish without having to leave him home alone. It can also help to stop draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for you or your cat!
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, but it isn't easy to install an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door will accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional jointer prior to beginning.
To ensure that your cat can access the door, you'll need determine their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so that they don't move around. Once you've established their height, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. This position can be outlined on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to employ an expert glazier to install your cat flap inside glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a cat flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If not, you can make one yourself using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you can make one yourself using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape has been drawn on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to ensure that it is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to be properly seated in the opening and stop it from being capable of sliding open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was written on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade 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 cut out and the flap section is in place, put it up against it and push it out to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it binds on any point, then you can use a file or a sandpaper to correct this.
Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you're planning to cut into. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed to make room for the cat flap. Be careful not to damage them in the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap themselves will have the standard solid uPVC door and so won't have to deal with any of these issues. However, if your door is made from wood or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will add to the complexity of the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is crucial to complete the job correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is important to do it right because getting it wrong could damage the door and void the warranty.
Fit the Flap
Once you've made your hole, place the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you notice any spots that catch or stick or stick, you can file them down using an sandpaper or hand file until it is a perfect fit and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.
If cat flap installers near me doesn't have templates, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. Lay the paper against the door and mark a line where you will need to place the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screws you'll need to fix it in place.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite, this may be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it's recommended to consult a professional. They will also be able tell you if your door is suitable to install the cat flap.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on composite doors, you need to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to these doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.
You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors more than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll have to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself as it's extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to cut a hole in a door glass than in a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.