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 method to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can reduce the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for your cat to leave the home when required.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet safe in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from entering.

It is essential to measure the door prior to when you buy the cat flap, as there are a variety of sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap double glazing flap is the right size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it may be too large or too small, and your cat could be unable to use it.

Get a ruler and determine the width at several places along the edges of the door. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few places. This is because the door that is too high can cause your cat flap installers to do a gymnast's routine every time they use the flap!

Ask a glazier for assistance when you're unsure of what to measure for the door. They'll be able to determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap to buy.

When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is mark out the shape of the hole in the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole and will stop you from making an error that will cost you money in the end!

Make sure to put the hole in the right place. For example, if you're installing the cat flap bifold doors flap inside the patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, as this could cause leakage and damage to the seal.

It is recommended to leave the installation of the cat flap on a glass door to a professional glazier. It can be a challenge to fit a cat flap inside an existing glass pane and you could be surprised to find 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 having to leave him home on his own. It also helps stop the draughts from entering your home, which isn't bad for you or your cat!

However, if you have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the installation is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before you install an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may be detrimental to warranties.

Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, but they can be a challenge to insert the cat flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door will accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional jointer prior to starting.

To ensure that your cat can access the door, you'll need to take a measurement of their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they are calm or asleep, so that they aren't moving around. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. This position can be marked on the door.

When using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you need to be careful. Cutting into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in a cat flap in a pane. This will stop the glass from breaking or becoming hard. A glazier will also be able to provide you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A high-quality cat flap comes with a drawing template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to be. If it doesn't, you can make one using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). Once the shape has been penciled on the door, use your spirit level and ensure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap installer flap is positioned correctly in the opening and will not open or close.

Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was written on the door. Make sure you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked as such however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole drilled and the flap section is in place, put it up against it and push it open to make sure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use the filer or the rasp to correct this.

You should also check whether there are no electrical gas or cable lines within the door you'll be cutting through as they could be damaged by your jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will have to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them in the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, meaning they will not have to face these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that isn't easily removed, this can make the task.

It is always advisable to seek expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is crucial to get them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. Getting it wrong can cause the door to be damaged and could invalidate the warranty.

Install the Flap

Once you've got your hole drilled, put the flap on to check whether it will fit and can be opened easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit perfectly and open without difficulty. Be sure that the flap is in line with the door.

Some kits come window with cat flap 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 against the door and mark an area on which you'll want to position 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 each corner of the flap - these will be the screws you'll use to fit the flap into the correct position.

The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. But, if your door is made from GRP or Fitting A Cat Flap In A Upvc Door composite then it can be more challenging. If you are not familiar with this, it is recommended to consult a professional. They will also be able tell you if your door is suitable for the installation of a cat flap.

It is possible to install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors. However, it's essential to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so because any changes to these doors could void the warranty. If you decide to carry out the work yourself, be aware that this could be messy and fitting a cat flap in a upvc door possibly dangerous job.

You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors, rather than only the GRP. Be aware that this can be extremely dangerous work and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself as it is very fragile. It's also important to note that cutting holes into any type of glass for a door fitting a cat flap in a upvc Door is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid wooden door.