Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

The freedom to let your cat flaps for french doors go in and out of the house as it pleases is a great method to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the home when necessary.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap installation bristol flap lets your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to open the door for them. This is ideal for keeping them in when you're home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests from the home too!

It is important to examine the door's measurements to ensure that you get the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. You should then make sure that the cat flap cost near me flap is the correct size for the door you have. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or too small, and your cat could have difficulty using it.

Before you take any action however, you should use a ruler to take measurements of the length of the door in several places along its edges. You should also determine the height of the door in a few spots. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to do an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they use the flap!

Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They'll be able to determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and can help you decide on the size of flap you should purchase.

Draw the outline of the hole on the door once you have the measurements. This will assist you when you're cutting the hole and will save you money!

You must also ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. For instance, if fitting the cat flap in a patio door, it's important that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.

If you have an opening made of glass you could want to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat flap into an existing pane of glass and you might 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 whenever they like without having to leave them on their own. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which isn't healthy for your cat as well as you.

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if it is compatible before you install an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may invalidate warranties.

In general, these kinds of doors are built to be tough and durable, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, but they may be difficult to install an animal flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.

You'll need to determine their height to ensure that they can pass through the door. It's easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so that they don't move around. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap needs to be. You can then mark this spot on the door.

If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make cracks, particularly if the area is composed of toughened glass. This is why it's highly advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap inside glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat, which is less likely to crack and is safer for your kitty to use.

Cut the Hole

If it does not however, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has already been drawn on the back door with cat flap fitted, use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is properly positioned in the opening and will not slide open or close.

Next, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the pattern that is marked on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly however, if not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole drilled, place the flap section against it and then push it open to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to fix this.

You should also check that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting into as they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will have to be removed in order to fit the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them in the process.

Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, which means they will not have to face these issues. If your door is made of timber or has decorative panels that cannot be removed, this could make it more difficult to complete the job.

It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is essential to do the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. It is essential to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

Once you've made your hole, you can place the flap to check if it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit perfectly and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap sits perfectly flush with the door.

Some kits include a template for this but even if yours 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 an area on which you'll will need to place the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screws will be used to secure it in place.

The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If your door is constructed of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it's best to hire a professional. 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 are planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is essential to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you do decide to carry out the work yourself, remember that this could be a messy and potentially dangerous task.

For composite doors, you'll generally require the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself rather than simply through the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take great care not to damage the door or yourself, as it is very fragile. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to create the door glass than in a uPVC door or solid wood door.