Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house whenever it wants is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for the cat to leave the house if necessary.
Take a measurement of 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 in the house when you're home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of your home as well!
It is essential to examine the door's measurements to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This ensures you get the correct 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 measure the width of the door in various places along its edge. You should also take measurements of the door's height in a few places. This is because doors that are too high will cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!
If you're not sure of how to measure a door, it might be best to ask for assistance from a glazier, or someone who performs this kind of work often. They will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will help you decide on the size of flap you should purchase.
Mark out the shape of your hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the future!
You must also ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. For instance, if you're fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass it is best to leave this task to a glazier. It may be difficult to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go as they please without you having to leave them alone. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which is not good for your cat or you.
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is quite different too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are generally designed to last and are tough with insulation. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, however it isn't easy to install an animal flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or composite.
You'll have to measure their height in order to ensure they pass through the door. This is easiest when they're asleep or calm so that they don't move around too often. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. This location is marked on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you need to be careful. The drilling process can make cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. cat flap fitters is why it's highly advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming brittle. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap comes with a template that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, you could create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been penciled in on the door, utilize your spirit level to ensure that it is horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to sit properly in the door and prevent it from being capable of sliding open or closed.
Then, you can use your jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make sure you are 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 advice. Once the hole is cut then place the flap against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves smoothly. If it binds on any point, then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.
Make sure there aren't any gas or electric pipes inside the door you're going to cut into. Your jigsaw could damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed in order to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them during this process.
Most people who fit a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so will not have to worry about any of these problems. But, if your door is constructed of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed then this will add to the complexity of the job.
It is always worth seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs since it is essential to do them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. It is essential to do it right because making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and void the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've made your hole, put the flap to check if it opens and fits. If you notice any spots that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is aligned with the door.
Some kits come with a template for this but even if yours doesn't provide a template, you could use a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and mark the area where you'll need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these are the screw holes you'll use to fit it in place.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. However, if the door is made of GRP or a composite then this can be more complicated. If you're not familiar with this, it is recommended to consult an expert. They can also tell you if your door is suitable to install an animal flap.
If you want to install a cat flap in composite doors, you need to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, remember that this can be messy and hazardous task.
When you have composite doors, you'll typically require a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you'll have to be extra careful to not damage the door. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole into any type of door glass is much more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.