Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to come and go out of the house at its own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically engaged. 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.

Measure the Door

A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without you having to open the door. This is ideal for keeping them in when you're at home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the house as well!

It's important to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap as there are a variety of sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or too large for your cat and he will be unable to use it.

Use Fitting A Cat Flap In A Upvc Door ruler to take measurements of the width at various locations along the edge of the door. Also, you should determine the height of the door in a few places. This is because doors that are too high will cause your cat to perform an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they need to use the flap!

Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can advise you on what size flap to buy.

When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw the outline of the hole on the door. This will help you when cutting the hole, and will save you money!

Make sure that you put the hole in the right location. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap inside the patio door, you must ensure that the hole is not too close to any hinges, as this can cause leakage and issues with the seal.

It is best to leave the task of installing a cat flap on the glass door to an experienced glazier. It can be very tricky to install the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass and you might 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 whenever they want without needing to leave them to themselves. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat or you.

If you do have a uPVC or composite door it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible and that you have consulted the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.

These doors are typically designed to be durable and tough, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they may be difficult to install an animal flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.

You'll have to measure their height in order to ensure that they can pass through the door. This will be easiest if they are asleep or calm so that they aren't moving around too much. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. This position can be outlined on the door.

If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to engage an expert glazier to install your cat flap into glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A high-quality cat flap cost near me flap comes with a template that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, create your own by with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape has been penciled on the door, use your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being able to slide open or closed.

Then, use your jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and then open it, making sure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it binds at any point, you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.

Also, make sure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes inside the door you'll be cutting through as they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will have to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap and be careful not to damage them during this process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid upvc door panel with cat flap front door, which means they will not have to face these issues. But, if your door is made of timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will increase the difficulty of the task.

For these kinds of jobs, it is important to get advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid any future issues. It is essential to do it right because doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty.

Install the Flap

After you've made the hole drilled, place the flap on to test if it fits and can be opened easily. If you spot any areas 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 difficulty. Make sure that the flap is in a flush position with the door.

Some kits include a template for this however, if it doesn't, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and mark an area on which you'll want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark out four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These are the screw holes that you'll use to secure the flap into the right position.

The majority of uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite material, it can be more challenging. If you're not familiar with this then it may be advisable to hire a professional to do the job for you. They should also be able to advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.

If you are planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you do decide to carry out the work yourself, be aware that this can be messy and dangerous job.

You'll need to use a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will require extra care to not damage the door. It's also important to note that cutting a hole in any type of glass for a door is far more difficult than making the same change in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.