Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go out of the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically active. Having a flap can also help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house whenever it wants to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they'd like without needing to open the door. This is a great method to keep your pet in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.
It is important to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap since there are different sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the correct size for the door you have. Otherwise, it may be too big or small, and your cat could have trouble using it.
Use a ruler to determine the width at several points along the edge of the door. You should also measure the door's height in a few places. This is because doors that are too high will cause your cat to perform a gymnast's routine every time they need 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 advise you on what size flap to purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw the shape of the hole on the door. This will assist you when cutting the hole and save you money!
Make sure to put the hole in the right place. For example, if you're fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have a glass door you could want to leave this task to a professional glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet leave and come back whenever they wish without needing to leave him alone. It also helps stop the draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for either you or your cat!
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These types of doors are typically made with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is different, too. Before you think about installing a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it is compatible and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are made to be tough and durable, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of doors, however it isn't always easy to install the cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need to determine their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so that they don't sway around. Once you know their height you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This location can be outlined on the door.
When using power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you have be cautious. cat flap installation near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk drilling process can make it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's highly recommended to engage a glazier when installing your cat flap in a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole for the cat flap, which is less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If not however, you can make one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, create your own with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, you can then use a spirit level to ensure that the design is horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being able to slide open or closed.
Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the design that was written on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it becomes stuck on any point, then you can use a file or a sandpaper to correct this.
You should also check whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting into since they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap. You should be cautious not to scratch them in the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, so they will not have to face these issues. However, if your door is constructed of timber or has decorative panels that cannot be removed then this will add to the complexity of the task.
It is always worth seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is crucial to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've made your hole, place the flap and check whether it opens and fits. If you find any points that stick or catch 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 the flap is in line with the door.
Some kits include an example of this, however, even if yours does not, you can use a piece or thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Lay the paper against the door and mark a line where you want 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 screws you'll use to fit it in the correct position.
The majority of uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite, it can be more challenging. If you're unfamiliar with this, it might be wise to get a professional to do the work for you. They will also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
You can install a cat flap into composite doors but it's important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes since any modifications to these doors could void the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be a messy job and could be dangerous.
For composite doors, you'll usually need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this can be very dangerous and you'll need to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself since it is extremely fragile. It's important to remember that cutting a hole in any type of glass for a door is much more difficult than making the same change in the case of a uPVC or solid wooden door.