Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
Allowing your cat to come and go out of the house at their own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for the cat to leave the home when necessary.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without having to open the door. This makes it ideal to keep them inside when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests out of your home as well!
You should examine the door's measurements to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are many sizes available. This ensures you get the right size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or too large and your cat will have trouble using it.
Before you do anything however, you should take a ruler and take measurements of the length of the door in several locations along its edge. You should also measure the door's height in a few places. This is because a door that is too high could cause your cat to do an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they want to use the flap!
If you're unsure of how to measure the door, it may be best to seek help from a glazier or someone who does this kind of work frequently. They will be able to help you determine whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to purchase.
Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the outline of the hole on the door. This will aid you when you cut the hole, and will save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the correct place. For example, if you're fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have a glass door, it might be best to delegate this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass, and you may be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A Cat flap installation Bristol flap allows your pet to move around as they wish without having to leave him all by himself. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which isn't good for you or your cat.
If you have a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install the cat flap. These types of doors with cat flap are often made from different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is quite different too. Before you consider fitting a cat flap in your upvc door panel with cat flap fitted or composite door, make sure that it's compatible and that you have consulted the manufacturer because alterations could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
They are designed to last and are tough, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they may be difficult to fit an animal flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap installation in glass doors near me flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to starting.
To ensure that your cat can pass through the door, you'll need to take a measurement of their height. This is easier if they are asleep or calm so that they don't move around too much. Once you have their height you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. Then, you can mark this spot on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal could cause it to crack, especially if the area is toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage an expert glazier to install your cat flap into the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from shattering or becoming fragile. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it does not, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been drawn 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 capable of sliding open or closed.
Next, use your jigsaw, and cut the shape that has been 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 accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut then place the flap against it and open it to ensure that the flap moves smoothly. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or a rasp to correct this.
It is also important to ensure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting through because they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items while cutting.
Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door and will not have to worry about any of these problems. However, if your door is made from timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, it will increase the difficulty of the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it's important to get guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. If you do it wrong, it could lead to the door being damaged, which could make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you've made your hole, you can place the flap to check whether it opens and is able to fit. If you find any points that catch or stick or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper, to file them down until they are able to fit and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap is in line with the door.
Some kits include a template for this however, if it doesn't have a template, you can 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 indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw holes will be used to secure the flap to the door.
Most uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. If your door is made of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it's recommended that you hire a professional. They will also be able to help you determine whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.
It is possible to install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors but it's important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner prior to making any changes as any alterations to these doors could void the warranty. If you choose to complete the task yourself, remember that this could be messy and hazardous task.
When you have composite doors, you'll usually require a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself instead of just cutting through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will have to be extra careful to not damage the door. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any type of door glass is a lot more difficult than making the same change in a uPVC or solid wooden door.
