Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to enter and go from the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically stimulated. A flap can reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for the cat to leave the home when needed.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to go and come as they please without opening the door for them. This is ideal to keep them in the house when you're home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!
It's important to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap as there are different sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the right size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it may be too big or small, and your cat could have trouble using it.
Before you take any action but take a ruler and take measurements of the length of the door in various places along its edge. Also, you should take measurements of the door's height in a few places. This is because a door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast's routine every time they want to use the flap!
Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can help you decide on the size of flap to buy.
Draw the shape of your hole on the door once you have your measurements. This will aid you when cutting the hole and save you money!
Make sure that you put the hole in the correct place. If you're installing a cat flap to the patio door, it is crucial that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.
It is best to leave the job of installing the cat flap onto glass doors to an experienced glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat flap inside the glass pane, and you may find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come as they please without you having to leave them home alone. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat or you.
If you own a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the process of installing them is different. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it is compatible and you have checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could invalidate any warranties.
They are designed to be durable and tough, with insulation. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of doors, but it isn't always easy to install the cat flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner before beginning.
To ensure that your cat can get through the door, you'll have to measure their height. This will be easiest 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 between their stomachs and the floor to determine the position of the flap's bottom. This position is marked on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal can cause it to crack, especially in the case of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an expert glazier to install your cat flap into a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat. This will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap will come with a template drawing that you can use to mark the spot on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, you can create your own by with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door, you can then use a spirit level to ensure that the design is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being in a position to slide open or closed.
Next, use your jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed specifically for uPVC doors. It will usually be marked with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole drilled and the flap section is in place, put it against it and push it out to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it becomes stuck on any point, then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix it.
Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're going to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fittings in the door, which have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to scratch these objects while cutting.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own have the standard solid uPVC front door, meaning they won't have to deal with these issues. But, if your door is made of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, this could make it more difficult to complete the task.
For these kinds of jobs, it is important to get guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is crucial to complete the job correctly to avoid any future issues. It is important to do it right because getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to check whether it can be opened easily. If you notice any spots that stick or catch, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits properly and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap sits flush with the door too.
If your kit doesn't include a template, you can use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. Lay the paper against the door and mark the area where you'll need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using similar resource site 've made on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These are the screw holes you'll use to put it into place.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite, this can be more complicated. If you're not familiar with this then it may be advisable to hire a professional to do the job for you. They can also help you determine whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap installation.
It is possible to install a cat flap into composite doors but it's important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner first as any alterations to these types of doors could void the warranty. If you choose to carry out the work yourself, be aware that it can be a messy and potentially dangerous job.
You'll need to use a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors, rather than just the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will have to be extra careful to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's also important to note that cutting a hole in any type of door glass is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.