Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go from the house at its own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally active. A flap can aid in reducing toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the house if required. Measure the Door A cat flap lets your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet safe in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering. It is important to measure the door prior to when you buy the cat flap, as there are different sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap is the correct size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it could be too big or small and your cat may be unable to use it. Before you take any action but use a ruler to determine the length of the door in various locations along its edge. Also, you should take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap! If you're unsure of how to measure the door, it may be best to ask for assistance from a glazier, or someone who performs this type of work regularly. They will be able to help you determine whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap, and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to buy. Mark out the shape of your hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will give you an idea of how to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the end! It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. For instance, if installing the cat flap inside the patio door, it's important that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and problems with the seal. If you have an opening made of glass it is best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be a challenge to fit the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass, and you may discover that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal. Measure the Cat A cat flap permits your pet to come and go whenever they like without having to leave them alone. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat as well as you. If you own a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the installation is different. Before you think about installing an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and that you have consulted the manufacturer as any modifications could invalidate any warranties. In general, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough with insulation included. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, however it isn't always easy to install an animal flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite. To ensure that cat flap insulation can get through the door, you'll have to measure their height. It's easier to measure their height when they're at peace or asleep, which means they don't sway around. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. You can then mark this location on the door. If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. Cutting into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to employ a glazier when installing your cat flap inside the glass pane. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming hard. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use. Cut the Hole If it doesn't then you can create one yourself by using a piece of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can create your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape is drawn on the door, you can then use a spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to sit properly in the door and prevent it from being in a position to slide open or close. Next, use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was marked on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly, if not ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole made, place the flap section up against it and push it out to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to fix it. It is also important to ensure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door you will be cutting into because they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fittings on the door which must be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items in the process. Most people who install the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so will not be dealing with any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that cannot be removed, this will complicate the task. For these types of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is important to perform them correctly to avoid any future issues. It is important to do it right because doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty. Fit the Flap Once you have cut your hole, place the flap and check whether it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit perfectly and open without difficulty. Make sure the flap is aligned with the door. Some kits include a template for this but even if yours doesn't, you can use a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and mark the area where you'll need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark four screw holes in the corners of the flap. These will be the screws you'll use to put the flap into place. The majority of uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. If your door is made of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar in this area, it might be advisable to hire an expert to complete the work for you. They will also be able determine if your door is suitable to install a cat flap. If you're planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, you need to first consult 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 tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be messy and may even be hazardous. When you have composite doors, you'll usually require a grinder or saw to cut through the door's frame rather than simply through the GRP. Be aware that this can be very dangerous and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself since it's extremely fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole in any type of glass for a door is far more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.