Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

Allowing your cat to come and go from the house at its own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally active. A flap can help reduce the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for your cat to leave the house if necessary.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to move around as they please without opening the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet in the house when you are away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from getting into your.
You should take measurements of the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are various sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for your upvc doors. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or too small and your cat may have trouble using it.
Before you do anything but use a ruler to determine the length of the door in various locations along its edge. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few places. A door that is too tall will make your cat do an acrobatics routine each time it is tempted 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 can determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will advise you on what size flap you should purchase.
Mark out the shape of the hole on your door once you have the measurements. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!
You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. If you are fitting a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.
If you have a glass door it is best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. It is also possible that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to leave them to themselves. Recommended Website helps keep draughts out of your home, which isn't good for you or your cat!
If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These types of doors are typically made with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is different as well. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it is compatible and you have checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
These doors are generally designed to be tough and durable, with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, however they can be difficult to install a cat flap into. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner before starting.
To ensure that your cat is able to get through the door, you'll need measure their height. This will be easiest if they are sleeping or calm, so that they're not moving around too often. Once you have their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. You can then mark this position on the door.
When you use power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you will need to be careful. The process of drilling into metal can cause it to crack, especially if the area is toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire an expert glass installer when putting in an e-cat flap on a pane. This will stop the glass from breaking or becoming fragile. A Glazier is also in a position to provide you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
If not then you can create one yourself by using a piece of paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape has already been drawn on the door, you can use your spirit level to ensure that it is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to sit properly in the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or close.
Next, take your jigsaw and cut the shape marked on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed for uPVC door use. It is usually marked with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut then place the flap against it and open it to make sure the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound at any point, you can use a filer or a rasp to fix this.
Check that there aren't any gas or electric pipes inside the door you're planning to cut into. Your jigsaw could damage them. Also, be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed in order to fit the cat flap and be careful not to damage them during this process.
Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid uPVC front door, so they will not have to face these issues. But, if your door is made of timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will increase the difficulty of the task.
For these kinds of jobs, it is important to get advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is crucial to do them correctly to avoid any future issues. It is crucial to do it right because getting it wrong could damage the door and void the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you've made your hole, put the flap to see if it opens and is able to fit. 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 is flush with the door.
Some kits include a template for this however, if it doesn't provide a template, you could make use of a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark out four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These are the screw holes that you'll use to secure it in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it is recommended that you hire a professional. They can also tell you if your door is suitable for installing the cat flap.
If you are planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, you need to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to the doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that it can be messy and may even be hazardous.
You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage 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 door is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid wooden door.