Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door
Allowing your cat to enter and go out of the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it mentally and physically active. A flap can help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without having to open the door. This makes it ideal to keep them inside the home when you're away and helps keep unwanted pests out of your house as well!
It is important to measure the door before you purchase the cat flap, as there are various sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it could be too small or too large for your cat and he will have trouble using it.
Before doing anything however, you should use a ruler to take measurements of the length of the door in various locations along its edge. Also, determine the door's height in a few places. This is because a door that is too high will cause your cat to perform an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they use the flap!
Get help from a glazier when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They will be able to assist you in determining whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap and help you decide on the best size of flap you should purchase.
Draw the outline of the hole on your door after you have taken the measurements. This will help you when you cut the hole, and will save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is in the correct place. For instance, if fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it's important that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
It is best to leave the installation of a cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to insert the cat flap onto the glass pane and you might be surprised to find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap permits your pet to go and come as they please without you needing to leave them on their own. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not good for you or your cat.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you consider fitting a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturer because alterations could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are made to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to install an animal flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner prior to beginning.
You'll have to measure their height in order to ensure that they can fit through the door. This is easiest when they're asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too often. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. This position can be outlined on the door.
When using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you have be cautious. The act of drilling into the metal may cause it to crack, especially if the area is toughened glass. This is why it's highly advisable to hire an expert glazier to install your cat flap into a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. what is it worth can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat. This will be less likely to crack and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality cat flap should come with a template that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, you can make your own with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the opening, and it won't slide open or close.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut out the design that was drawn on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed specifically for uPVC door use. It will usually be identified with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut then place the flap against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves smoothly. If it becomes stuck on any point, then use a file or rasp to correct this.
You should also check that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door that you will be cutting into as they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed to install the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them in the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, so they will not have to face these problems. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative part that cannot be removed, it will make the task.
For these types of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat flap fitter. It is essential to complete the job correctly to avoid problems in the future. If you do it wrong, it could lead to the door being damaged and may cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Fit the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, you can place the flap and check if it opens and fits. If you notice any spots that catch or stick to the door, smooth them out using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits properly and opens without issue. Be sure that the flap is flush 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 similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw holes will be used to secure the flap in place.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite material, this may be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it might be wise to get an expert to complete the work for you. They should also be able to provide you with advice on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you want to install a cat flap on composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to these doors may make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to carry out the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and hazardous task.
For composite doors, you'll usually require a grinder or saw to cut through the door panel itself rather than simply through the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take great care not to harm the door or yourself since it's extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it is much more difficult to make holes in door glass than in a uPVC door or a solid wood door.