Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat move around the house as it pleases is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. Having a flap can also aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it needs to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to move around whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is ideal to keep them in the house when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests out of your house as well!
It is essential to examine the door's measurements to ensure that you have the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures that you get the right size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or large, and your cat may be unable to use it.
Get a ruler and determine the width at several places along the edges of the door. You should also measure the height of the door in a few places. A door that is too high will make your cat do a gymnast routine every time it uses the flap.
If you're unsure of how to measure the door, it could be best to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this type of work regularly. They'll be able help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.
Draw the outline of the hole on the door after you have taken your measurements. This will give you a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making a mistake that could cost you money in the end!
upvc door panel cat flap must also ensure that the hole you're making is in the right place. If you're fitting an apex flap to the patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. This could result in leakage or issues with the seal.
It is best to leave the job of installing the cat flap on the glass door to an experienced glazier. It can be very tricky to fit a cat flap inside an existing pane of glass, and you may discover that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you needing to leave him alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't beneficial for your cat or you.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are made from different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it is compatible and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.
These doors are generally designed to last and are tough, with insulation. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of door, but it isn't always easy to install the cat flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
To make sure that your cat can pass through the door, you'll need take a measurement of their height. It's easier to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so they don't move around. Once you've determined their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. This position can be outlined on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need to be very careful when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. This is why it's highly recommended to employ an expert glazier to install your cat flap inside glass. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming brittle. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
A good quality cat flap comes with a template drawing that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, make your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to sit properly in the opening and prevent it being in a position to slide open or closed.
Then, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked as such, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap against it and then push it out to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, use a file or rasp to fix it.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes within the door you plan to cut into. The jigsaw may damage them. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are in the door, which have to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to damage these items in the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap themselves will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so won't have to deal with any of these problems. However, if your door is constructed of timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will make it more difficult to complete the job.
It is always worth seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs since it is essential to do them right to avoid any potential problems in the future. It is important to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Install through wall cat flap
Once you've made your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and is able to fit. If you spot any areas that catch or stick or stick, you can file them down using a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure that the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.
Some kits include templates for this, but even if yours doesn't provide a template, you could use a piece or thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Lay the paper against the door and draw an area on which you'll will need to place the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these are the screw holes that you'll use to secure the flap into place.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. If the door is made of composite or GRP, it can be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this then it may be advisable to hire a professional to do the work for you. They can also tell you if your door is suitable for installing an animal flap.
You can install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors, but it is important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so since any modifications to these types of doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that it can be messy and even dangerous.
When you have composite doors, you'll generally need to use the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will have to be extra careful to avoid damaging the door. It is important to note that it's more difficult to make a hole in a door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood door.