Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door
The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at its own pace is a great idea to keep it mentally and physically active. A flap can reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for the cat to leave the house when necessary. Measure the Door A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want without you having to open the door. This makes it ideal for keeping them in when you're at home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the house as well! It is important to examine the door's measurements to ensure you get the right size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size that fits into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or too large for your cat and he will have trouble using it. Before you take any action however, you should use a ruler to measure the width of the door in various locations along its edge. You should also take measurements of the door's height in a few spots. This is because a door that is too high could cause your cat to perform the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap! Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They can determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and can advise you on what size flap to buy. After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to draw the outline of the hole in the door. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the end! Make sure that you put the hole in the right location. For instance, if installing the cat flap on the patio door, you must ensure that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and issues with the seal. It is best to delegate the installation of the cat flap on glass doors to a professional glazier. It may be difficult to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. You might also discover that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal. Measure the Cat A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they wish without having to leave him home alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't healthy for you or your cat. If you have a uPVC door or composite door, it could be difficult to install a cat flap. These types of doors are typically made of different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different, too. Before you consider fitting an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, make sure that it's compatible, and you have checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties. In general, these kinds of doors are made to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of doors, but it isn't always easy to install an animal flap. Make sure to consult a professional prior to installing a cat flap onto the uPVC door or composite. You'll have to measure their height in order to ensure that they can fit through the door. This is easiest if they are sleeping or calm, so that they aren't moving around too often. Once you have their height and weight, you can determine the distance from their stomach to the floor to determine the position of the bottom of the flap. You can then mark this spot on the door. If your uPVC or composite door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel) you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. Drilling into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is composed of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ an experienced glass installer to install an e-cat flap on a pane. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming fragile. A Glazier will also be capable of providing you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use. Cut the Hole If it doesn't however, you can make one yourself with a sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you can create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door, you can then use a spirit level to ensure that the design is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to sit properly in the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or close. Next, use your jigsaw, and cut the shape that has been drawn on the door. Make use of a blade specifically designed for uPVC door use. It is usually labeled with this information. If not, ask the staff in your DIY store for help. Once you have the hole cut out, place the flap section against it and then push it open to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it becomes stuck at any point, use a filer or rasp to correct this. Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're planning to cut into. Your jigsaw could damage them. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that need to be removed to fit the cat flap. You should be careful not to damage them in the process. Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid uPVC front door, so they won't be faced with these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative piece that cannot be removed, this can make the job. It is always worthwhile seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is important to get them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. It is crucial to do it right because doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty. Fit the Flap After you've cut your hole, put the flap to check if it opens and fits well. If you find any points which catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit properly and open without difficulty. Make sure that the flap sits in a flush position with the door. Some kits include an example of this, but even if yours doesn't provide a template, you could make use of a piece of thin paper instead – something like tracing paper ideally. Place the paper against the door and mark the area where you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you traced on the door. These will be the screw holes will be used to secure the flap in place. Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite, this may be more difficult. If you are not familiar with this, it is recommended that you hire an expert. They will also be able to tell you if your door is suitable for installing the cat flap. If cat flap fitting planning to install a cat flap on composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to these doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that it could be messy and even dangerous. You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors rather than only the GRP. This is a risky job, and you'll need to take extra care to not damage the door. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to create holes in door glass than in a uPVC door or a solid wood door.