Fitting A Cat Flap In A UPVC Door
The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house whenever it wants is a great way to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. A flap can help reduce the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for your cat to leave the house if needed.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go and come whenever they want without opening the door for them. This makes it ideal to keep them in the house when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the home too!
You should measure the door to ensure that you have the correct size cat flap. There are many sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or large, and your cat may have trouble using it.
Before you take any action however, you should take a ruler and determine the width of the door in a variety of locations along its edge. You should also take measurements of the door's height in a couple of places. This is because a door that is too high will cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of how to measure the door. They'll be able help you determine whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap you should purchase.
When you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is mark the shape of the hole in the door. This will aid you when you're cutting the hole and save you money!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the correct place. For example, if you're installing the cat flap on a patio door, it's important that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, since this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.
It is recommended to leave the task of installing the cat flap fitters flap onto a glass door to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to install the cat flap onto an existing glass pane and you might find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap allows your pet to come and go as they please without you needing to leave them to themselves. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat or you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These kinds of doors are often made of different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different as well. Before you decide to install an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible and you have checked with the manufacturer because alterations could cause the warranty to be invalidated.
In general, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, however they can be difficult to fit a cat flap into. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door can accommodate the cat flap fitters near me flap, fitting a cat flap in A upvc door make sure you consult with a professional jointer prior to starting.
To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll have to determine their height. This will be easiest if they are sleeping or calm, so that they aren't moving around too much. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the location of the flap's bottom. This location can be outlined on the door.
If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel) you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make cracks, especially if the area is made of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire a glass installer when installing an e-cat flap on a pane. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming brittle. A Glazier is also in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.
Cut the Hole
A good cat flap comes with a template drawing that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the door, and it won't slide open or close.
Then, you can employ a jigsaw for cutting out the design that is on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such If not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once you have the hole cut out and the flap section is in place, put it against it and then push it open to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it is bound at any point, you can use a file or a sandpaper to correct this.
Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes within the door you're going to cut through. Your jigsaw could damage them. Be aware of any handles, or other fittings on the door which must be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to scratch these objects during the process.
Most people who fit fitting a cat flap in a upvc door (sources) cat flap themselves will have an ordinary solid replacement upvc door panels with cat flap door and so will not have to worry about any of these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will increase the difficulty of the task.
It is always worthwhile seeking assistance from an expert cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs as it is crucial to get the job done correctly to avoid possible issues in the future. It is crucial to do it right because doing it wrong can damage the door and invalidate the warranty.
Place the Flap
Once you have cut your hole, put the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you spot any areas which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they fit properly and open without any problems. Make sure the flap is flush with the door too.
If your kit doesn't include an example, you could make use of thin paper such as tracing or Acetate. Place the paper on the door and mark an area on which you'll need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screw holes you'll need to use to fix the flap to the door.
Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it's recommended to consult a professional. They will also be able to determine if your door is suitable for installing the cat flap.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on composite doors, it is essential to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, be aware that this could be messy and hazardous task.
You'll need a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than just 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 since it is extremely fragile. It's also important to note that cutting a hole into any type of door glass is much more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.