Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house whenever it wants is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. Having a flap can also help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to come and go as they please without opening the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the house when you're away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from getting into your.
cat flap fitting near me is important to examine the door's measurements to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are many sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size that fits into 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 points along the edge of the door. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few spots. This is because a door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast's routine every time they need to use the flap!
Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They should be able to help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap and advise you on the right size of flap to purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to mark the outline of the hole in the door. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the future!
Make sure that you put holes in the right place. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap inside the patio door, it's important that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass you could want to let this job to a professional 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 whenever they want, without needing to leave him all by himself. It can also help to keep draughts out of your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials and the installation is different. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if it is compatible before you install a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable with insulation. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to install the cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.
To ensure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need determine their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they're at peace or asleep, which means they don't sway around. Once you know 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 location on the door.
When using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you have be extra cautious. Cutting into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is composed of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in a cat flap in a pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking and becoming brittle. A Glazier is also capable of providing you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap will come with a template that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to be. If it doesn't, you can make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, you can use your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is properly positioned in the door, and it won't slide open or close.
Then, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Make sure you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be labelled accordingly If not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole made, place the flap section against it and push it open to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it binds on any point, then use a file or rasp to fix this.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes within the door you're planning to cut through. Your jigsaw could damage them. Be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that must be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items during the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and will not have to worry about any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that isn't easily removed, this will complicate the task.
It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs because it is crucial to get them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. If you do it wrong, it could lead to the door being damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've got the hole drilled, place the flap on to see whether it opens easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using an sandpaper or hand file until it fits properly and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap sits flush with the door too.
Some kits include a template for this however, even if yours does not, you can use a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and draw a line where you want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you made on the door. These will be the screw points that will be used to secure the flap to the door.
Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore easy to cut into. If your door is made of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it's best to hire a professional. They can also advise you on whether or not your door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on composite doors, it is important to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to these doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you choose to complete the task yourself, be aware that this could be messy and possibly dangerous job.
You'll need to use a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself, as it is very fragile. window with cat flap to remember that it's more difficult to create a hole in a door glass than it is for a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.