Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house whenever it wants is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. Having a flap can also aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.

Measure the Door

A cat flap installers flap lets your pet come and go whenever they want without having to open the door. This is ideal to keep them in the house when you're home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the home as well!

It is important to measure the door before you purchase the cat flap, as there are a variety of sizes available. This ensures you get the right size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or too large for your cat and he will have trouble using it.

Use a ruler to measure the width at several points along the edge of the door. You should also measure the height of the door in a few places. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast routine every time it wants to use the flap.

Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure how to measure the door. They should be able to assist you in determining whether not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap you should purchase.

Draw the outline of the hole on your door after you have taken the measurements. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making an error that will cost you money in the long run!

Make sure you make the hole in the correct position. For example, if you're fitting a cat flap in A Upvc door the cat flap cost flap in the patio door, you must ensure that the hole doesn't sit too close to any hinges, as this can cause leakage and damage to the seal.

If you have glass doors, it might be best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be a challenge to install the cat flap onto the glass pane and you could find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap permits your pet to move around whenever they like without having to leave them on their own. It also stops draughts from entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat as well as you.

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 process of installing them is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could invalidate warranties.

These doors are typically designed to last and are tough and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, but they may be difficult to install a cat flap into. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.

You'll have to measure the height of your child to make sure they fit through the door. This will be easiest when they're 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 bottom of the flap. Then, you can mark this position on the door.

If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make cracks, particularly if the area is composed of toughened glass. This is why it's advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap in glass. This will stop the glass from shattering or becoming brittle. A Glazier will also be capable of providing you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If not, you can make one yourself with a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, create your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, you can then use a spirit level to ensure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap fitting near me flap sits properly in the opening and will not open or close.

Next, take your jigsaw and cut out the design that was marked on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once the hole is cut then place the flap against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves easily. If it becomes stuck on any point, then use a file or rasp to fix this.

Also, make sure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes within the door you will be cutting through since they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door which will need to be removed in order to install the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them during this process.

The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have a standard solid uPVC door and so won't have to deal with any of these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that isn't easily removed, this will complicate the job.

It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs as it is crucial to get them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged and could cause the warranty to be invalidated.

Place the Flap

Once you've made your hole, you can place the flap to see if it opens and fits. If you spot any areas that catch or stick to the door, smooth them out using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits properly and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is aligned with the door.

If your kit doesn't include a template, you can use thin paper like tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you created on the door. These will be the screws you'll need to fix it in place.

The majority of uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. But, if your door is made of GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it's recommended that you hire a professional. They will also be able inform you if the door is suitable for the installation of the cat flap.

It is possible to install the cat flap onto composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first as any alterations to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.

You'll require a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors more than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll have to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself since it is extremely fragile. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole into any type of glass for a door is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.