Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat go in and out of the house at will is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it is required to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This makes it ideal to keep them in the house when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of the home as well!
It is essential to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap as there are various sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it may be too large or too small and your cat may have difficulty using it.
Before you take any action but use a ruler to take measurements of the length of the door in various places along its edge. Also, you should measure the door's height in a couple of places. This is because a door that is too high can cause your cat to perform an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they want to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They should be able to assist you in determining whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap and advise you on the right size of flap to buy.
When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is mark the outline of the hole on the door. This will help you when cutting the hole, and will save you money!
You should also make sure that the hole you're making is in the right place. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap on the patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass, it might be best to leave this task to a glazier. It can be very tricky to fit a cat flap inside the glass pane, and you may be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure cat flap fitting near me lets your pet to move around as they please without you having to leave them home on their own. It also helps keep draughts out of your home, which isn't good for you or your cat!
However, if you 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. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before you install an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may be detrimental to warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they can be a challenge to insert the cat flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to take the height of your child to ensure that they can pass through the door. This is easier when they're sleeping or calm, so that they aren't moving around too often. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. Then, you can mark this location on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you will need be extra cautious. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is made of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in a cat flap in a pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming hard. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to crack and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap will come with a template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to go. If it isn't, you can make one yourself using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape is drawn in pencil on the door, then use your spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to properly fit into the opening and prevent it being able to slide open or close.
Next, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Use a blade designed specifically for uPVC door use. It is usually labeled with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out and the flap section is in place, put it against it and then push it out to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to remove it.
Check that there aren't web page or gas pipes in the door you plan to cut through. Your jigsaw could damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that need to be removed to install the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch them in the process.
Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and will not be dealing with any of these problems. However, if your door is constructed of timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, this could add to the complexity of the task.
It is always worthwhile seeking assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid possible issues in the future. It is essential to do it right because doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've cut your hole, place the flap to check whether it opens and fits. If you find any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit properly and open without difficulty. Make sure that the flap is flush with the door too.
Some kits come with an example of this, however, even if yours does not, you can use a piece or thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper against the door and mark the area where you'll will need to place the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes at every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screws you'll need to fix the flap in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite material, this may be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this, it might be advisable to hire an expert to complete the work for you. They can also 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, you need to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be messy and could be dangerous.
You'll need an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors, rather than only the GRP. This is a risky task, and you'll require extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's important to remember that cutting a hole into any type of glass for a door is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.