Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to move around the house as it pleases is an excellent method to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for cats to leave the home when necessary.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move around at their own pace, without opening the door for them. This makes it perfect to keep them inside when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests from the house as well!
It is important to take measurements of the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or large, and your cat may have trouble using it.
Before you do anything however, you should use a ruler to take measurements of the length of the door in several locations along its edge. Also, measure the door's height in a few places. A door that is too tall can cause your cat to perform a gymnast routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.
Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of what to measure for the door. They'll be able to determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will help you decide on the size of flap to buy.
Once you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw the outline of the hole on the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the future!
Make sure to put the hole in the right location. If you're fitting a cat flap to a patio door it is important that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors you could want to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be very tricky to insert a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass and you could 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 whenever they want without having to leave them home to themselves. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat as well as you.
If you do have a uPVC or composite door it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These types of doors are typically made from different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is different, too. Before you consider fitting an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it is compatible and you have checked with the manufacturer because alterations could invalidate any warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are built to be tough and durable and have insulation built-in. They are more resistant to the elements than other kinds of doors, however it isn't always easy to install an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional jointer prior to beginning.
To ensure that your cat can get through the door, you'll have to take a measurement of their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they don't move around. Once you have their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the position of the flap's bottom. Then, you can mark this spot on the door.
If window cat flap or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be very careful when cutting it using power tools. The act of drilling into metal could cause cracks, particularly when the area is made of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ a glass installer when installing the cat flap inside the pane. This will prevent the glass from shattering or becoming fragile. A glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap will come with a template drawing that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole will be. If it isn't, you can make one yourself using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). Once the shape has been penciled in on the door, you can utilize your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut out the shape marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed specifically for uPVC doors. It will typically be identified with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is made then place the flap against it and 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 correct this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric gas or cable lines within the door that you will be cutting through, since they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fixtures on the door which must be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items while cutting.
The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have a standard solid uPVC door, and therefore will not be dealing with any of these problems. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative piece that is not easily removed, it will make the task.
It is always worthwhile seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs as it is important to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and may cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Fit the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you notice any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit perfectly and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap is in line with the door.
Some kits come with an example of this, however, even if yours does not provide a template, you could use a piece of thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark out four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These will be the screws you'll use to put the flap into the correct position.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If the door is made of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it is recommended to consult an expert. They can also advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.
You can fit the cat flap onto composite doors but it's important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes as any alterations to these doors could void the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that it could be messy and could be dangerous.
When you have composite doors, you'll usually need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself instead of just cutting through the GRP. This can be a dangerous job, and you will need to take extra care to not damage the door. It's important to remember that it is much more difficult to create the door glass than in a uPVC door or solid wood doors.