Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door

The ability of your cat to come and go out of the house at its own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it is required to. Take a measurement of the door A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without having to open the door. This is a great way to keep your pet in the house when you're away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from getting into your. It is essential to measure the door prior to when you buy the cat flap, as there are different sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size that fits into your door made of upvc otherwise, it might be too small or large for your cat and he will struggle to use it. Before you do anything however, you should use a ruler to determine the width of the door in a variety of places along its edge. Also, you should take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. A door that is too high can cause your cat to perform an exercise routine every time it wants to use the flap. If you're not sure of how to measure a door, it might be best to seek help from a glazier or someone who performs this type of work regularly. They will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will advise you on what size flap you should purchase. Draw the shape of your hole on the door once you have the measurements. This will aid you when cutting the hole and will save you money! Make sure you make holes in the right location. If you are fitting the cat flap onto a patio door it is important that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal. If you have a glass door it is best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. It is also possible that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal. Measure the Cat A cat flap allows 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 is not good for your cat or you. However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the process of installing them is different. Before you consider fitting a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturers as alterations may affect any warranties. cat flap installation near me Repair My Windows And Doors are generally designed to be tough and durable, with insulation. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of doors, but it isn't always easy to install a cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or composite. To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll have to measure their height. It's easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they don't sway around. Once you know their height, you can measure 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. If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) it is important to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. The process of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, particularly when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's highly recommended to engage a glazier when installing your cat flap in the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming brittle. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use. Cut the Hole A good cat flap should come with a drawing template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole will go. If it does not then you can make one yourself using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape has been penciled in on the door, utilize your spirit level to make sure that it 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 out the shape drawn on the door. Use a blade that is specifically designed for uPVC door use. It will usually be identified with this information. If not then ask the staff at the 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 binds at any point, use a filer or rasp to fix this. Check that there aren't any gas or electric pipes inside the door you're planning to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed to fit the cat flap and be careful not to harm them during the process. The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so won't have to deal with any of these problems. If your door is made of wood or has decorative panels that cannot be removed then this will add to the complexity of the task. It is always worthwhile seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs because it is important to get them done right to avoid potential problems in the future. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged, which could invalidate the warranty. Install the Flap Once you've got your hole cut, put the flap on to check if it fits and can be opened easily. If you notice any spots that catch or stick, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure that the flap sits in a flush position with the door. If your kit doesn't have an example, you could use tracing paper that is thin, such as a piece of paper or Acetate. Place the paper against the door and draw the area where you'll will need to place the flap (this will serve as 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 will be the screws you'll use to put the flap into the correct position. The majority of uPVC doors are strong and easy to cut. If the door is made of GRP or composite, it can be more difficult. If you're not familiar in this area, it might be advisable to hire a professional to handle the job for you. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap. If you're planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you do decide to carry out the work yourself, be aware that this can be a messy and potentially hazardous task. With composite doors, you'll generally require the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel rather than just through the GRP. Be aware that this can be extremely dangerous work and you'll have to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself as it's extremely fragile. It's important to remember that cutting a hole into any type of glass for a door is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid wooden door.