Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house whenever it wants is an excellent method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for the cat to leave the house if required.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This is ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!
It is essential to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap since there are a variety of sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or small, and your cat flap install could have trouble using it.
Before you take any action however, you should take a ruler and determine the length of the door in a variety of places along its edges. You should also determine the door's height in a few spots. Fitting A Cat Flap In A Upvc Door door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast routine every time it wants to use the flap.
If you're not sure how to measure the door, it may be best to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this type of work frequently. They will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can advise you on what size flap to buy.
Mark out the shape of your hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the end!
You must also ensure that the hole you're creating is in the correct place. If you're installing an apex flap to the patio door, it is crucial that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors it is best to let this job to a professional glazier. It isn't easy 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 permits your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to leave them on their own. It can also help to stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the process of installing them is different. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before you install an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or upvc door panel cat flap door. Changes to the door could be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are generally designed to last and are tough and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they may be a challenge to insert the cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to starting.
You'll need to take their height in order to make sure 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 know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. This position can be outlined on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. The process of drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to employ an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into the glass pane. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming brittle. A Glazier is also capable of providing you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it does not then you can create one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it isn't, you can make one using the thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door you can then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being able to slide open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut the shape marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed for replacement upvc door panel with cat flap doors. It will usually be labeled with this information. If not then ask the staff at the DIY store for assistance. After the hole has been cut, place the flap section against it and open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it binds at any point, use a filer or a rasp to fix this.
Check that there aren't any gas or electric pipes inside the door you plan to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Be aware of any handles or other fittings in the door, which will need to be removed in order to install the cat flap step flap. Be careful not to damage these items while cutting.
The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have a standard solid uPVC door and so will not have to worry about any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative element that isn't easily removed, this will complicate the job.
It is always advisable to seek assistance from an expert cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs because it is essential to do them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've made your hole, place the flap to see if it opens and fits well. If you find any points that stick or catch, file them down with a hand file or sandpaper until it fits properly and opens without any problems. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.
Some kits include a template for this but even if yours doesn't provide a template, you could make use of a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to show the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you made on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to fix it in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. If the door is made of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you're not familiar in this area, it might be wise to get a professional to do the job for you. They will also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
You can install a cat flap into composite doors, but it is important to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes as any alterations to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be a messy job and may even be hazardous.
For composite doors, you'll typically need to use the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than simply through the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll need to take great care not to damage the door or yourself since it is very fragile. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to create holes in door glass than a uPVC door or solid wood door.
