Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat go in and out of the house whenever it wants is an excellent way to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house whenever it wants to.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without you having to open the door. This makes it ideal to keep them in the house the home when you're away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of your home too!
It is essential to measure the door prior to when you purchase the cat flap, as there are different sizes available. This ensures that you get the right size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it could be too small or large and your cat will struggle to use it.
Use a ruler to take measurements of the width at various places along the edges of the door. You should also take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. A door that is too tall will make your cat do a gymnast routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.
If you're unsure of how to measure a door, it might be a good idea to seek assistance from a glazier, or someone who is familiar with this kind of work regularly. They will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap to buy.
Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark out the shape of the hole in the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making a mistake that could cost you money in the long run!
You must also ensure that the hole you're creating is placed in the right spot. For example, if you're fitting the cat flap in a patio door, you must ensure that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass, it might be best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It may be difficult to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. You might also discover that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want without you needing to leave him alone. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat as well as you.
If you do 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. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if it is compatible before installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may cause warranty issues.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are designed to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to fit the cat flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
To make sure that your cat can access the door, you'll need to determine their height. It's easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so that they don't sway 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 be. This location is marked on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's highly advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat. This will be less likely to crack 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 area on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, you can create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, you can use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the opening, and it will not open or close.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut out the design that was marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed for uPVC doors. It will usually be labeled with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for help. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound on any points then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix this.
It is also important to ensure whether there are no electrical gas or cable lines within the door you'll be cutting through because they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door that must be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items during the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, meaning they will not have to face these problems. But, if your door is constructed of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, it will increase the difficulty of the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is essential to complete the job correctly to avoid future problems. If you do it wrong, it could result in the door becoming damaged, which could invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've made your hole, place the flap to check if it opens and fits well. If you spot any areas that catch or stick to the door, smooth them out using a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. Make sure that the flap is in a flush position with the door.
Some kits come with templates for this, however, if it doesn't have a template, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to show where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Draw four screw holes on every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw holes will be used to secure the flap in place.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite material, this can be more complicated. If you're not comfortable with this, it is recommended that you hire a professional. They will also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your door is suitable for cat flap installation .
It is possible to install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors but it's important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner before you do so as any alterations to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you do decide to do the work yourself, be aware that this can be messy and possibly dangerous job.
When you have composite doors, you'll typically require a grinder or saw to cut through the door's frame instead of just cutting through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you'll need to take extra care to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's worth noting that it is much more difficult to make the door glass than in a uPVC door or solid wood doors.