Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house at will is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. Having a flap can also help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it is required to.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you having to open the door. This makes it perfect to keep them inside when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the home too!

It's important to measure the door before you buy a cat flap as there are a variety of sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too large or small and your cat might have difficulty using it.

Get a ruler and measure the width at several points along the edge of the door. You should also take measurements of the height of the door in a few places. This is because the back door with cat flap fitted that is too high can cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!

Ask a glazier for help in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They will be able to assist you in determining whether or the door you have is suitable for fitting a Cat flap in a upvc door cat flap and help you decide on the best size of flap you should purchase.

When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the shape of the hole on the door. This will provide you with an idea of how to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the long run!

Make sure that you put holes in the right place. If you're installing a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or issues with the seal.

If you have a glass door you could want to leave this task to a glazier. It can be a challenge to fit a cat flap inside an existing glass pane and you might discover that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they like without having to leave them on their own. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for you or your cat.

If you have a upvc door panels cat flap door or composite, it may 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 installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or upvc door panels with cat flap door. Changes to the door could cause warranty issues.

These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, however they can be difficult to fit the cat flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.

You'll need to determine their height in order to ensure that they can fit through the door. This is easier if they are asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too much. Once you know their height and weight, you can determine the distance between their stomachs and the floor in order to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. You can then mark this position on the door.

If you are using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you will need be cautious. The act of drilling into metal could cause cracks, especially when the area is made 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 becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier will also be capable of providing you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A good quality cat flap should come with a template drawing that you can use to mark the spot on your door where the hole will be. If it doesn't, create your own by with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape has already been penciled in on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is positioned correctly in the door, and it will not open or close.

Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the shape that has been drawn on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such If not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is cut, place the flap section against it and then open it to make sure the flap moves easily. If it is bound at any point, you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.

Also, make sure whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting into because they could be damaged by the jigsaw. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are in the door, which will need to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items while cutting.

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. If your door is made of wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, this could make it more difficult to complete the task.

For these kinds of jobs, it's recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is crucial to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. It is essential to get it right, as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.

Install the Flap

Once you've got your hole cut, put the flap on to see whether it can be opened easily. If you find any points that stick or catch, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they fit properly and open without difficulty. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.

Some kits come with a template for this but even if yours doesn't provide a template, you could 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 show where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These will be the screws you'll use to put the flap into place.

Most upvc door panel with cat flap fitted doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it is recommended that you hire an expert. They can also tell you if your door is suitable for installing a cat flap.

If you want to install a cat flap on composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors with cat flap could cause the warranty to be void. If you do decide to carry out the work yourself, remember that this can be messy and possibly hazardous task.

You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will need to take extra care to not damage the door. It's important to remember that it's much more difficult to create holes in door glass than a uPVC door or solid wood doors.