Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat move around the house as it pleases is an excellent method to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. A flap can reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the house when required.

Measure the Door

A cat flap double glazing flap allows your pet to move around at their own pace, without having to open the door for them. This is ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!

It is important to measure the door before you buy a cat flap since there are different sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it may be too big or small, and your cat could have trouble using it.

Before you take any action however, you should take a ruler and measure the length of the door in several places along its edge. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few places. A door that is too high can cause your cat to perform an exercise routine every time it uses the flap.

If you're unsure of how to measure the door, it could be best to ask for assistance from a glazier, or someone who is familiar with this type of work often. They'll be able assist you in determining whether not your door is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap you should purchase.

After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the outline of the hole in the door. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making an error that will cost you money in the future!

You must also ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. If you're installing the cat flap onto an outdoor door, it's vital that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.

It is best to delegate the installation of a cat flap on the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to install a cat flap inside an existing glass pane and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the double glazing cat flap

A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they like without having to leave them on their own. It also helps stop the draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for either you or your cat!

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible and that you've checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could cause the warranty to be invalidated.

They are designed to be tough and durable with insulation. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to install an animal flap. If you're not sure if your upvc door panels cat flap or composite door is able to accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner before beginning.

You'll need to determine their height to ensure that they can fit through the door. This will be easiest if they are sleeping or calm, so that they aren't 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 location of the flap's bottom. This position is marked on the door.

If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal could cause cracks, particularly in the case of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install an e-cat flap on a pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier is also in a position to provide you with a cat flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A good cat flap will come with a drawing template that you can use to mark the spot on your door where the hole needs to be. If it doesn't, you can create your own by using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, you can use your spirit level and make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is properly positioned in the opening and will not open or close.

Then, employ a jigsaw for cutting out the design that is 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. After the hole has been cut and the flap is placed against it and open it to ensure that the flap moves easily. If it is bound on any point, then make use of a file or a rasp to fix this.

It is also important to ensure whether there are no electrical cables or gas pipes inside the door you will be cutting through, since they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. Be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which have to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to cause damage to these items in the process.

Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid upvc door panel replacement cat flap front door, which means they won't have to deal with these issues. However, if your door is made of wood or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, it will make it more difficult to complete the job.

It is always advisable to seek assistance from an expert cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is crucial to get them right to avoid any possible issues in the future. Making the wrong choice could lead to the door being damaged and could invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap on to test if it fits and opens easily. If you find any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they are able to fit and open without difficulty. Make sure the flap is flush with the door.

Some kits come with an example of this, however, if it doesn't have a template, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door and draw Fitting A Cat Flap In A Upvc Door line to show where the flap should be placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you made on the door. These will be the screws will be used to secure it in place.

The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this then it may be beneficial to engage an expert to complete the work for you. They can also tell you if your door is suitable for the installation of the cat flap.

You can install the cat flap onto composite doors but it's important to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first as any alterations to these doors could void the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that it could be a messy job and may even be hazardous.

You'll need a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. Be aware that this can be a very hazardous job and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself as it is extremely fragile. It's also important to note that cutting a hole into any type of glass for a back door with cat flap fitted is a lot more difficult than making the same change in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.