Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to move around the house at will is an excellent method to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for the cat to leave the home when necessary.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to go and come as they please without opening the door for them. This makes it ideal to keep them in the house when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests from the home as well!

It is essential to measure the door before you buy a cat flap since 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 door panel cat flap. Otherwise, it could be too large or small and your cat might have trouble using it.

Before doing anything but use a ruler to measure the length of the door in various places along its edge. You should also determine the height of the door in a few places. A door that is too high can cause your cat to perform a gymnast routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.

Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure how much to install a cat flap to measure the door. They'll be able to determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and give you advice on the right size flap you should purchase.

When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark out the shape of the hole on the door. This will aid you when cutting the hole and will save you money!

Make sure to put holes in the right location. For instance, if installing the cat flap inside a patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and issues with the seal.

It is best to leave the job of installing the cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat flap inside the glass pane and you might find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they wish without needing to leave him all by himself. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't good for your cat as well as you.

If you have a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install the cat flap. These types of doors are often made of different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is quite different too. Before you think about installing a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible and that you've checked with the manufacturer because alterations could invalidate any warranties.

Generally speaking, these types of doors are made to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, but they can be difficult to fit the cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional jointer prior to starting.

To ensure that your cat is able to pass through the door, you'll need measure their height. It's easier to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so they aren't moving around. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. You can then mark this location on the door.

If you are using power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you have be extra cautious. The process of drilling into metal could cause it to crack, especially in the case of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to engage a glazier when installing your cat flap inside glass. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A Glazier is also able to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If it does not, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, create your own by using fitting a cat flap in a upvc door (zybls.com) thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has been penciled in on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to sit properly in the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or closed.

Then, employ a jigsaw for cutting out the design that is on the door. Use a blade designed specifically for upvc door panel with cat flap fitted doors. It will usually be labeled with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for help. Once the hole is cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it, making sure that the flap moves easily. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to fix this.

Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you plan to cut through. Your jigsaw could damage them. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fittings on the door which have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to scratch these objects in the process.

The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these problems. But, if your door is made of timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, it will increase the difficulty of the task.

It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs since it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential problems in the future. It is important to get it right as doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.

Fit the Flap

After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to test if it fits and is able to open easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch to the door, smooth them out using an sandpaper or hand file until it fits properly and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is aligned with the door.

Some kits come with an example of this, but even if yours doesn't, you can use a piece or thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper against the door and mark a line where you want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark out four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screws that you'll use to secure it in the correct position.

The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to do the job for you. They will also be able to inform you if the door is suitable for installing the cat flap.

If you are planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to these doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.

When you have composite doors, you'll usually require the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel rather than simply through the GRP. This can be a dangerous task, and you'll have to be extra careful to avoid damaging the door. It's also worth noting that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is far more difficult than making the same modification in a replacement upvc door panel with cat flap or solid wooden door.