Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door
The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house as it pleases is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the home when needed.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they please without opening the door for them. This makes it perfect to keep them in the house when you're home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests from the home too!
It is essential to measure the door to ensure that you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the correct size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too big or small and your cat may be unable to use it.
Take a ruler, and measure the width at several places along the edges of the door. You should also determine the door's height in a few spots. This is because doors that are too high can cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!
Ask a glazier for help if you aren't sure what to measure for the door. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will help you decide on the size of flap to purchase.
Mark out the shape of the hole on the door once you have your measurements. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making an error that will cost you money in the long run!
It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is placed in the right spot. For instance, if you're installing the cat flap on the patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and issues with the seal.
If you have glass doors, it might be best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It isn't easy to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You may also find that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.
Measure the Cat
A cat flap lets your pet to move around whenever they want without having to leave them home alone. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which isn't healthy for your cat or you.
If you have a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.
Generally speaking, these types of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other types of doors, but they can be difficult to install the cat flap. Consult 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 determine their height. It's easiest to measure their height when they're at peace or asleep, which means they don't sway around. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. This position can be marked on the door.
If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium), you'll need to be very careful when cutting it with power tools. The process of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, especially if the area is toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire an expert glazier to install your cat flap in a pane of glass. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming hard. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat. This will be 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 location on your door where the hole should go. If it doesn't, you can make one using the thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, you can then use your spirit level to make sure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to sit properly in the door and prevent it from being able to slide open or closed.
Then, you can employ a jigsaw for cutting out the shape marked on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC doors. It is usually identified with this information. If not you can ask the staff at your DIY store for help. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap against it and then push it open to make sure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use a filer or a rasp to correct this.
Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you're going to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed to install the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them in the process.
The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, which means they won't have to deal with these problems. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative piece that cannot be removed, this can make the task.
It is always worth seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs since it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential problems in the future. cat flap fitting near me is important to get it right, as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and void the warranty.
Install the Flap
After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap in place to check whether it can be opened easily. If you find any points that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure that the flap is aligned with the door.
Some kits include an example of this, however, even if yours does not have a template, you can use a piece or thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Lay the paper against the door and draw an area on which you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screw points that will be used to secure the flap in place.
Most uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. If your door is made of GRP or composite the process can be more difficult. If you're unfamiliar in this area, it might be advisable to hire a professional to do the work for you. They should also be able to help you determine whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is essential to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, keep in mind that it can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.
With composite doors, you'll typically need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame rather than simply through the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll have to take extreme care not to hurt the door or yourself since it is extremely fragile. It's important to remember that it's much more difficult to make a hole in a door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood door.