Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door
The ability of your cat to come and go from the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for the cat to leave the home when necessary.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come as they please without opening the door for them. This is ideal to keep them in the house when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests from the home too!
You should take measurements of the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or large for your cat and he will be unable to use it.
Get a ruler and determine the width at several locations along the edge of the door. Also, you should determine the height of the door in a few places. This is because doors that are too high can cause your cat to perform a gymnast's routine every time they need to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They will be able to assist you in determining whether your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.
Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw the outline of the hole on the door. This will assist you when cutting the hole and save you money!
Make sure you make holes in the right position. For example, if you're installing the cat flap on a patio door, you must ensure that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have an opening made of glass you could want to delegate this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat-flap into 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 leave and come back whenever they want, without having to leave him alone. It also helps stop the draughts from entering your home, which isn't bad 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 usually constructed from different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is different, too. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible prior to installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could be detrimental to warranties.
In general, these kinds of doors are built to be tough and durable, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to the elements than other kinds of doors, however it isn't always easy to install the cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner before starting.
You'll need to determine the height of your child to ensure they fit through the door. This is easier when they're asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too often. Once you've determined their height, measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. You can then mark this position on the door.
When using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you will need be cautious. The act of drilling into metal could cause it to crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install an e-cat flap on the pane. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming fragile. A Glazier is also in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap comes with a template drawing that you can use to mark the area on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, you could create your own by using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape is drawn in pencil on the door, then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to sit properly in the door and prevent it from being able to slide open or closed.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut the design that was marked on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such If not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and then open it to make sure the flap moves smoothly. If it becomes stuck at any point, use a file or rasp to fix this.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes within the door you plan to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them during the process.
Most people who fit a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid uPVC door and won't have to deal with any of these problems. However, if your door is made of wood or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, this could increase the difficulty of the task.
For these kinds of jobs, it is important to get advice from a cat flap fitter. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged, which could invalidate the warranty.
Fit the Flap
After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap on to test whether it opens easily. If you find any points that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens without issue. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.
Some kits include an example of this, however, even if yours does not have a template, you can use a piece or thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place cat flap installers on the door and draw a line to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark out four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these are the screw holes you'll use to fit it into the right position.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not experienced in this area, it might be wise to get a professional to handle the work for you. They will also be able tell you if your door is suitable for installing a cat flap.
If you want to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you do decide to do the work yourself, remember that it can be messy and possibly dangerous task.
When you have composite doors, you'll usually require a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll need to take extreme care not to hurt the door or yourself since it is very fragile. It's also important to note that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is a lot more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.