Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door
Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house at will is an excellent way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing accidents with toilets by making it easier for the cat to leave the house if required.
Take a look at the Door
A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This is ideal for keeping them in when you're at home or away and helps keep unwanted pests out of the home as well!
It's important to measure the door before you buy a cat flap since there are a variety of sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size that fits into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or too large for your cat and he will struggle to use it.
Before you do anything, though, take a ruler and determine the length of the door in various locations along its edge. You should also measure the height of the door in a few places. A door that is too tall will cause your cat to do a gymnast routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.
Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of what to measure for the door. They'll be able to determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and can give you advice on the right size flap to purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is mark the outline of the hole in the door. This will give you 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!
You must also ensure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap on the patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
If you have glass doors, it might be best to let this job to a professional glazier. It can be a challenge to insert a cat flap into an existing pane of glass and you could find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come as they please without you having to leave them on their own. It can also help to keep draughts out of your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!
However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These doors are made of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they can be a challenge to insert an animal flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap onto the uPVC door or composite.
You'll need to take their height to make sure they fit through the door. This is easiest when they're asleep or calm so that they don't move around too often. Once you know their height, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to go. This position is marked on the door.
When using power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you need to be careful. The drilling process can make cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to employ an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap inside a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A Glazier will also be able to provide you with a circular cat flap 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 can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to be. If it does not then you can create one by using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, use your spirit level to make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.
Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the design that was written on the door. Use a blade that is specifically designed for uPVC door use. It will typically be marked with this information. If not you can ask the staff at the DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole drilled then place the flap against it and push it open to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use a filer or a rasp to correct this.
Make sure there aren't cat flap fitting or gas pipes within the door you plan to cut into. The jigsaw may damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that need to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them in the process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have the standard solid uPVC front door, which means they won't have to deal with these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that is not easily removed, this will complicate the job.
For these types of jobs, it is recommended to seek out expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is important to perform them correctly to avoid any future issues. If you do it wrong, it could cause the door to be damaged and could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
Install the Flap
After you've made the hole drilled, place the flap on to check if it fits and can be opened easily. If you notice any spots that stick or catch, file them down with a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. Be sure that the flap is in line with the door.
Some kits come with templates for this, however, if it doesn't, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper against the door and draw a line where you need to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw points that you'll need to use to fix the flap to the door.
Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. If the door is made of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're not familiar in this area, it might be beneficial to engage an expert to complete the job for you. They will also be able tell you if your door is suitable for installing an animal flap.
You can fit a cat flap into composite doors, but it is important to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes because any changes to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you do decide to complete the task yourself, be aware that it can be a messy and potentially dangerous task.
For composite doors, you'll typically require a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself since it is extremely fragile. It's also important to note that cutting a hole in any kind of glass door is much more difficult than making the same changes in a uPVC or solid wooden door.