Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door
Allowing your cat to enter and go from the house at their own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing accidents with toilets by making it easier for cats to leave the home when needed.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without having to open the door. This makes it ideal for keeping them in when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the home as well!
You should take measurements of the door to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size that fits into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or too large and your cat will struggle to use it.
Before doing anything, though, take a ruler and take measurements of the width of the door in several places along its edge. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few spots. This is because the door that is too high can cause your cat to perform a gymnast's routine every time they want to use the flap!
If you're unsure of how to measure a door, it might be best to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this type of work often. They'll be able assist you in determining whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap and advise you on the right size of flap to buy.
After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is to mark the outline of the hole in the door. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the future!
Make sure that you put holes in the right location. For instance, if you're fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have glass doors, it might be best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. You might also discover that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet move around as they wish without needing to leave him on his own. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat or you.
If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These kinds of doors are often made with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is quite different too. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if it is compatible before you install a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could be detrimental to warranties.
Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. They are more resistant to the weather than other types of door, but it can be difficult to install the cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner prior to beginning.
You'll need to determine their height to ensure that they can fit through the door. This is easier when they're asleep or calm so that they're not moving around too often. Once you have their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor in order to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. This location is marked on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you need to be careful. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into glass. This will prevent the glass from breaking and becoming fragile. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to crack and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
If not however, you can make one yourself with a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you can create one by using the thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). Once the shape has been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level and ensure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the opening and will not slide open or close.
Next, use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was marked on the door. Make sure you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be labelled accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once the hole is cut, place the flap section against it and then open it to ensure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use a filer or rasp to remove it.
It is also important to ensure that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door you will be cutting through, since they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are in the door, which have to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to damage these items during the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, so they won't be faced with these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that cannot be removed, this can make the job.
For these kinds of jobs, it's recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is important to complete the job correctly to avoid problems in the future. Making the wrong choice could cause the door to be damaged and may invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap in place to test whether it can be opened easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch to the door, smooth them out using an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap is flush with the door too.
Some kits come with a template for this however, if it doesn't provide a template, you could use a piece or 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 on each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw holes you'll need to fix it in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite, this may be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it might be wise to get an expert to complete the job for you. They will also be able to inform you if the door is suitable for the installation of the cat flap.
You can install the cat flap onto composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner before you do so because any changes to these types of doors could invalidate the warranty. If you choose to do the work yourself, be aware that this can be messy and possibly dangerous job.
With upvc door panels with cat flap , you'll usually require a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame rather than simply through the GRP. Be aware that this can be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself, as it is very fragile. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to make holes in door glass than a uPVC door or solid wood door.