Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house whenever it wants is an excellent way to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the home when required.
Take a look at 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 home or away and helps keep unwanted pests out of the home too!
It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure that you have the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the right size for the door you have. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or small and your cat might be unable to use it.
Get a ruler and measure the width at several points along the edge of the door. Also, you should measure the door's height in a couple of places. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do an exercise routine every time it uses the flap.
If you're not sure how to measure the door, it may be best to ask for help from a glazier or someone who is familiar with this kind of work often. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and advise you on what size flap to buy.
When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw the shape of the hole on the door. This will help you when you're cutting the hole and save you money!
Make sure to put holes in the right position. If you're installing the cat flap onto an outdoor door, it's vital that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. cat flap installer repairmywindowsanddoors could cause leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass, it might be best to let this job to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to install the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want without you having to leave him alone. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which is not good for you or your cat.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These kinds of doors are often made from different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is quite different too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if it is compatible prior to installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could cause warranty issues.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to the weather than other types of door, but it can be difficult to install the cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional jointer prior to starting.
To ensure that your cat is able to pass through the door, you'll need to measure their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so they don't sway around. Once you have their height, you can measure 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.
If you are using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you will need to be careful. The process of drilling into metal could cause cracks, particularly in the case 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 or becoming brittle. A Glazier is also in a position 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
A high-quality cat flap comes with a template that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to be. If it isn't, you can make one using the thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door, then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to sit properly in the opening and stop it from being capable of sliding open or close.
Next, employ a jigsaw for cutting 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, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once you have the hole made then place the flap against it and then push it open to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds at any point, you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.
Make sure there aren't any gas or electric pipes inside the door you plan to cut into. The jigsaw may damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that need to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to damage them during this process.
Most people who fit a cat flap themselves will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these problems. However, if your door is constructed of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed then this will increase the difficulty of the job.
It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs since it is crucial to get the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. It is important to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've got the hole drilled, place the flap on to test whether it opens easily. If you find any points that catch or stick or stick, you can file them down using a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is aligned with the door.
If your kit doesn't include an example, you could use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to show the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes on each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screws you'll need to use to fix the flap in place.
The majority of uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it might be beneficial to engage a professional to do the work for you. They can also provide you with advice on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.
You can fit a cat flap into composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes since any modifications to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you do decide to complete the task yourself, be aware that it can be messy and dangerous task.
You'll need a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. Be aware that this can be a very hazardous job and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself since it is very fragile. It is important to note that it's more difficult to cut a hole in a door glass than in a uPVC door or solid wood doors.