Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go out of the house at its own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically stimulated. A flap can reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the house when necessary.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you having to open the door. 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.

You should examine the door's measurements to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or too large and your cat will be unable to use it.

Take a ruler, and take measurements of the width at various places along the edges of the door. You should also measure the height of the door in a few spots. This is because a door that is too high will cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!

If you're not sure how to measure a door, it might be best to ask for assistance from a glazier, or someone who performs this type of work regularly. They can determine if your door is suitable for cat flap installer flaps, and will help you decide on the size of flap to buy.

Draw the outline of the hole on the door after you have taken your measurements. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole out and will prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!

Make sure that you put the hole in the correct place. For instance, if fitting the cat flap in the patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.

If you have an opening made of glass it is best to leave this task to a glazier. It can be a challenge to insert a cat flap inside the glass pane and you might be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap permits your pet to go and come as they please without you having to leave them to themselves. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat as well as you.

If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed of different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different as well. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible prior to installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could cause warranty issues.

These doors are generally designed to last and are tough, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other types of doors, however they can be difficult to install the cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door or composite.

You'll have to measure their height to ensure they fit through the door. It is easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so they don't sway around. Once you have their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the position of the flap's bottom. This location is marked on the door.

If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. The act of drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap installation bristol flap into glass. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use.

Cut the Hole

A good cat flap will come with a template that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole should be. If it does not then you can make one yourself 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 your cat's flap to sit properly in the door and prevent it from being in a position to slide open or close.

Next, take your jigsaw, and cut the design that was drawn on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed for uPVC doors. It is usually labeled with this information. If not, ask the staff in the DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out, place the flap section against it and push it open to make sure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to fix it.

Also, make sure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting through, since they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them in the process.

The majority of people who install the cat flap fitting flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so will not have to worry about any of these problems. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that is not easily removed, it will make the job.

For these kinds of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat flap fitter. It is essential to complete the job correctly to avoid any future issues. It is important to get it right, as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to check if it fits and is able to open easily. If you notice any points which catch or stick or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper to file them down until they are able to fit and open without difficulty. Make sure that the flap is in a flush position with the door.

Some kits include a template for this however, even if yours does not provide a template, you could make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Lay the paper against the door and draw a line where you need to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These will be the screw points that you'll use to secure the flap into the right position.

Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite, this can be more complicated. If you're not experienced with this, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to handle the work for you. They can also inform you if the door is suitable for installing a cat flap.

You can fit an opening for a cat flap in composite doors, but it is important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner before you do so as any alterations to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you do decide to carry out the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and hazardous task.

When you have composite doors, you'll typically require a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. This can be a dangerous job, and you will have to be extra careful to not damage the door. It is important to note that it is much more difficult to make a hole in a door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.