Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
The freedom to let your cat move around the house at will is an excellent method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. 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 come and go at their own pace, without opening the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet safe in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering.
You should take measurements of the door to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are many sizes available. This ensures you get the right size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it might be too small or large for your cat and he will struggle to use it.
Before you take any action but take a ruler and determine the width of the door in several places along its edge. Also, you should take measurements of the height of the door in a few spots. A door that is too high will make your cat do an exercise routine every time it wants to use the flap.
If you're not sure how to measure the door, it could be a good idea to seek assistance from a glazier, or someone who is familiar with this kind of work often. They should be able to assist you in determining whether your door is suitable for a cat flap, and provide you with the appropriate size of flap to purchase.
Once you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to draw out the shape of the hole on the door. This will aid you when cutting the hole and save you money!
You should also make sure that the hole you're creating is in the correct place. For instance, if you're fitting the cat flap in the patio door, it's important that the hole is not too close to any hinges, since this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
It is best to leave the task of installing the cat flap on glass doors to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to insert a cat flap into an existing pane of glass, and you may be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet to move around whenever they want without needing to leave them on their own. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't good for you or your cat.
However, if you have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you consider fitting the cat flap Install flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible and you have checked with the manufacturer because alterations could invalidate any warranties.
These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough and have insulation. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of door, but it isn't always easy to install the cat flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap fitting near me flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to beginning.
To ensure that your cat can pass through the door, you'll need to determine their height. It's easier to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they aren't moving around. Once you have their height you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the location of the bottom of the flap. Then, you can mark this location on the door.
If you are using power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you will need be extra cautious. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, particularly if the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into the glass pane. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming hard. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole to use for the cat flap, which is less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use.
Cut the Hole
A high-quality window cat flap flap should come with a drawing template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, you can create your own by using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been penciled on the door, use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will allow your cat flap installer flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being in a position to slide open or closed.
Next, make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade that is suitable for use on upvc door panels with cat flap doors. Usually, it will be labelled accordingly If not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and then open it to make sure the flap is moving smoothly. If it is bound on any point, then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix it.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes in the door you're planning to cut into. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will have to be removed to fit the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch them during this process.
Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have a standard solid uPVC door, and therefore will not be dealing with any of these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative piece that cannot be removed, this can make the task.
For these types of jobs, it's recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat flap fitter. It is important to perform them correctly to avoid future problems. It is important to get it right as doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty.
Fit the Flap
Once you've got your hole cut, put the flap on to see whether it will fit and is able to open easily. If you spot any areas that catch or stick to the door, smooth them out using a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap is flush with the door.
If your kit doesn't include a template, you can make use of thin paper such as tracing or acetate. 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). Make four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw points that will be used to secure it in place.
The majority of uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. However, if the door is made of GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it is best to hire a professional. They can also advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you're planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you choose to carry out the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and dangerous job.
With composite doors, you'll generally need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel rather than just through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you'll need to take extra care to not damage the door. It is important to note that it's much more difficult to create holes in door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.