Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to come and go out of the house at their own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally active. Having a flap can also help reduce toileting accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house whenever it wants to.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to move around as they please without having to open the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet safe in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.

It is essential to measure the door to ensure that you have the right size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the right size to fit into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or too large for your cat flap fitting near me and he will struggle to use it.

Before you do anything however, you should take a ruler and determine the length of the door in several places along its edge. You should also take measurements of the height of the door in a few places. This is because doors that are too high could cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!

If you're unsure of how to measure the door, it may be best to seek assistance from a glazier or someone who performs this type of work frequently. They should be able to assist you in determining whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap and provide you with the appropriate size of flap you should purchase.

Draw the outline of the hole on your door once you have the measurements. This will help you when you cut the hole and save you money!

Make sure that you put holes in the right position. If you are fitting a cat Flap an apex flap to a patio door it is vital that the hole does not be too close to hinges. This could lead to leakage or problems with the seal.

It is best to leave the installation of the cat flap on the glass door to an experienced glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap cost near me flap lets your pet to come and go whenever they want without needing to leave them to themselves. It can also help to stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!

However, if you have a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These types of doors are typically made from different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different as well. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before installing the cat flap on your upvc door panel with cat flap composite or uPVC door. Alterations may be detrimental to warranties.

Generally speaking, these types of doors are made to be tough and durable, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, however they can be difficult to install an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door will accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner before beginning.

To ensure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need take a measurement of their height. It is easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so that they don't sway around. Once you know their height you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor in order to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. You can then mark this position on the door.

If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The process of drilling into metal can cause it to crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an expert glazier to install your cat flap in glass. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A high-quality cat flap will come with a template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole will go. If it does not then you can create one by using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). Once the shape has been drawn on the door you can then use your spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is properly positioned in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.

Next, use your jigsaw, and cut the shape written on the door. Use a blade that is specifically designed for uPVC door use. It will usually be labeled with this information. If not you can ask the staff at the DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is made, place the flap section against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves easily. If it is bound on any points 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, as they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed in order to make room for the cat flap. You should be careful not to damage them in the process.

Most people who fit a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door, and therefore won't have to deal with any of these problems. But, if your door is made of wood or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, it will increase the difficulty of the job.

It is always worth seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is important to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. It is important to get it right, as doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.

Install the Flap

After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to check whether it is able to open easily. If you find any points that stick or catch, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they fit perfectly and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap is in a flush position with the door.

Some kits come with an example of this, but even if yours doesn't, you can make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Lay the paper against the door and mark the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark four screw holes in each corner of the flap - these are the screw holes you'll use to fit the flap into the correct position.

The majority of uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP, it can be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it is recommended to consult an expert. They can also tell you if your door is suitable for the installation of a cat flap.

You can install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors. However, it's essential to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so because any changes to these types of doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be messy and could be dangerous.

You'll require an instrument like a grinder or a saw to cut through composite doors, rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take great care not to hurt the door or yourself, as it is extremely fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is much more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.