Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to enter and go out of the home at its own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically engaged. A flap can aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house whenever it wants to.
Take a look at the Door
A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without you having to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the home when you are away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.
It is important to measure the door before you buy a cat flap since there are different sizes available. You should then make sure 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 too small, and your cat could have difficulty using it.
Before you do anything, though, use a ruler to measure the length of the door in various places along its edges. You should also take measurements of the height of the door in a few spots. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast routine every time it wants to use the flap.
Ask a glazier for assistance if you aren't sure what to measure for the door. They'll be able to 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 after you have taken the measurements. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making a mistake that could cost you money in the long run!
Make sure you make the hole in the correct position. If you're fitting an apex flap to the patio door, it is important that the hole does not be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have a glass door you could want to leave this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they please without you needing to leave them to themselves. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat as well as you.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door, it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is different as well. Make sure you check with the manufacturer if the door is compatible prior to installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are designed to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they can be difficult to install a cat flap into. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to take the height of your child to ensure that they can pass through the door. It's easier to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so they don't sway around. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. You can then mark this position on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you need be cautious. The act of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, particularly in the case of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ a glass installer when installing a cat flap in a pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If it does not then you can create one yourself using a sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, create your own by with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape is drawn on the door you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the design is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being able to slide open or closed.
Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut out the shape that has been drawn on the door. Use a blade that is specifically designed specifically for uPVC doors. It will typically be labeled with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out and the flap section is in place, put it against it and push it open to make sure that the flap's action is smooth. If it binds at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to fix this.
Also, make sure whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting into because they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door that have to be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items during the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, which means they will not have to face these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative piece that is not easily removed, this will complicate the task.
It is always worthwhile seeking assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is crucial to get the job done correctly to avoid potential problems in the future. If you do it wrong, it could cause the door to be damaged and may invalidate the warranty.
Fit the Flap
After you've cut your hole, place the flap to see if it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, file them down with the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap sits flush with the door too.
Some kits come with templates for this, but even if yours doesn't, you can use a piece or thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line in order to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to fix it in place.
Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore simple to cut into. But, if your door is made from GRP or a composite then this can be more complicated. If you're not comfortable with this, it is recommended to consult a professional. They should also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap install ation.
If you want to install a cat flap on composite doors, it is essential to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to these doors may make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that it can be a messy job and even dangerous.
With composite doors, you'll typically require a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself, as it's extremely fragile. It is important to note that it's more difficult to make the door glass than in a uPVC door or a solid wood door.