Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house at will is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the home when needed.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they'd like without needing to open the door. This is ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the house as well!
It is important to measure the door before you buy a cat flap since there are various sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or too large and your cat will be unable to use it.
Use a ruler to measure the width at several places along the edges of the door. Also, you should determine the height of the door in a few places. This is because the door that is too high could cause your cat to perform an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they need to use the flap!
If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it could be best to seek assistance from a glazier or someone who does this type of work regularly. They will be able to help you determine whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap and advise you on the right size of flap to purchase.
Draw the outline of the hole on your door once you have your measurements. back door with cat flap fitted will give you an idea of how to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!
Make sure you make holes in the right position. For example, if you're installing the cat flap inside a patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.
If you have glass doors, it might be best to let this job to a glazier. It can be a challenge to insert a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass, and you may discover that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet leave and come back whenever they wish without having to leave him home on his own. It can also stop draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for either you or your cat!
If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed of different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different as well. Before you consider fitting a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturers as alterations may affect any warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are made to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of doors, but it isn't always easy to install the cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner prior to beginning.
You'll have to measure the height of your child to ensure that they can pass through the door. It is easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so that they don't move around. Once you have their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the location of the flap's bottom. Then, you can mark this location on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you will need be cautious. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire a glass installer when installing a cat flap in a pane. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming hard. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to crack and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap will come with a template drawing that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole should be. If it doesn't, create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has already been penciled on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to properly fit into the opening and prevent it being in a position to slide open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw to cut out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked accordingly If not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. After the hole has been cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it, making sure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it becomes stuck at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to fix this.
Verify that there aren't gas or electric pipes inside the door you plan to cut into. The jigsaw may damage them. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures that are on the door which have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items in the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid uPVC front door, so they won't have to deal with these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative element that isn't easily removed, it will make the job.
It is always worthwhile seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs as it is crucial to get them right to avoid any potential issues in the future. Making the wrong choice could result in the door becoming damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.
Fit the Flap
After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap in place to see if it fits and opens easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, file them down with a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens without issue. Make sure the flap sits flush with the door too.
Some kits come with a template for this but even if yours doesn't, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw points that you'll need to use to fix the flap in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If your door is made of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar in this area, it might be advisable to hire a professional to handle the job for you. They will also be able to provide you with advice 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 essential to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be messy and could be dangerous.
You'll require a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors rather than only the GRP. This can be a dangerous job, and you'll need to take extra care to not damage the door. It's also worth noting that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is far more difficult than making the same changes in a uPVC or solid timber door.