Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to enter and go out of the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it is required to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.
It is essential to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap since there are a variety of sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or too large, and your cat may have trouble using it.
Use a ruler to determine the width at several locations along the edge of the door. Also, you should take measurements of the height of the door in a few spots. This is because doors that are too high could cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!
If you're not sure how to measure the door, it could be best to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this kind of work regularly. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and can help you decide on the size of flap to purchase.
Draw the outline of the hole on your door once you have your measurements. This will help you when cutting the hole, and will save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is in the correct place. If you're fitting an apex flap to a patio door it is important that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have a glass door, it might be best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be a challenge to fit a cat flap inside the glass pane, and you may find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without you needing to leave him all by himself. It can also help to stop draughts from entering your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!
If you do have a uPVC or composite door it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the installation is different. Before you consider fitting an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and you have checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
These doors are generally designed to last and are tough and have insulation. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of doors, but it can be difficult to install a cat flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door can accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner before beginning.
You'll need to determine their height in order to make sure they pass through the door. It is easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so that they don't sway around. Once you have their height and weight, you can determine the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the position of the flap's bottom. This position is marked on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The process of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, particularly in the case of toughened glass. This is why it's advisable to hire an expert glazier to install your cat flap in glass. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming fragile. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the cat flap, which is less likely to crack and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap will come with a template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, create your own by using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). After the shape is drawn on the door, you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening, and it won't slide open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw to cut out the design that is on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be labelled accordingly, if not ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole drilled then place the flap against it and then push it open to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, use a file or rasp to correct this.
You should also check whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes inside the door you'll be cutting into because they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fittings on the door which have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items during the process.
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 issues. If your door is made of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed then this will make it more difficult to complete the job.
It is always advisable to seek professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs since it is essential to do them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. It is crucial to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.
Install the Flap
Once you've got your hole drilled, put the flap on to test if it fits and can be opened easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit properly and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.
Some kits come with templates for this, however, if it doesn't have a template, you can use a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place source for this article on the door, and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These are the screw holes you'll use to fit the flap into the correct position.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP, it can be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar with this, it might be advisable to hire an expert to complete the work for you. They will also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on composite doors, you need to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, remember that this could be a messy and potentially dangerous job.
You'll need to use 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 have to be extra careful to not damage the door. It's also important to note that cutting a hole into any type of door glass is far more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid timber door.