Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door
The freedom to let your cat go in and out of the house as it pleases is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the house when necessary.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want without having to open the door. This is a great method to keep your pet safe in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.
It's important to measure the door before you purchase the cat flap, as there are various sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the right size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or large for your cat and he will have trouble using it.
Take a ruler, and measure the width at several places along the edges of the door. You should also measure the door's height in a couple of places. A door that is too tall will make your cat do an exercise routine every time it wants to 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 will advise you on what size flap to purchase.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw the shape of the hole on the door. This will provide you with an idea of how to cutting the hole out and will prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the long run!
Make sure to put the hole in the right location. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap inside a patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
It is best to leave the job of installing a cat flap on a glass door to a professional glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You might also discover that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want, without needing to leave him alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for you or your cat.
If you have a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These types of doors are typically made with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different as well. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it is compatible and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are designed to be tough and durable, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, but it isn't always easy to install a cat flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or composite.
To make sure that your cat can access the door, you'll have to take a measurement of their height. This will be easiest if they are asleep or calm so that they're not moving around too often. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. You can then mark this position on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important be extra cautious when cutting it using power tools. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to engage a glazier when installing your cat flap inside a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. Glaziers can also provide you with a circular hole to use for the cat flap, which will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap should come with a drawing template that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole will be. If it does not then you can make one yourself using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). 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 ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening, and it will not open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut the design that was drawn on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed specifically for uPVC doors. It will usually be marked with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for help. Once the hole is cut then place the flap against it and then open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use the filer or the rasp to correct this.
Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you plan to cut into. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed in order to fit the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them in the process.
cat flap fitters of people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so will not have to worry about any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that is not easily removed, this can make the job.
It is always worth seeking assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs since it is essential to do the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. It is important to get it right, as doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've cut your hole, you can place the flap to see if it opens and fits. If you notice any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit perfectly and can be opened without issue. Make sure that the flap is aligned with the door.
Some kits include an example of this, however, if it doesn't have a template, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door, and draw a line to show the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw points that you'll need to fix the flap in place.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If your door is made of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar in this area, it might be wise to get a professional to do the work for you. They will also be able to tell you if your door is suitable for the installation of an animal flap.
You can install the cat flap onto composite doors, but it is important to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so because any changes to these types of doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that it could be messy and may even be hazardous.
When you have composite doors, you'll typically need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself rather than simply through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous task, and you'll need to take extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to make holes in door glass than in a uPVC door or solid wood door.